JOHN M. KELLY LIBRARY

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Donated by
The Redemptorists of
the Toronto Province

from the Library Collection of
Holy Redeemer College, Windsor

University of
St. Michael's College, Toronto

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RULES OF LIFE FOR T]
PASTOR OF SOULS

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RULES OF LIFE FOR THE
PASTOR OF SOULS

FROM THE GERMAN

BY

Rev. T. SLATER, S.J., and Rev. A. RAUCH, S.J.

TORONTO?®^. Jj

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New York Cincinnati Chicago

BENZIGER BROTHERS

PRINTERS TO THE PUBLISHERS OF

HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE BENZIGER'S BfrAGAZINE

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Imprimatur.

Remy Lafort,

Censor Librorum.

^JOHN M. FARLEY,

Archbishop of New York.

New York, February 11, 1909.

COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY BENZIGER BROTHERS.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

The author would not have ventured to
offer this little book to the reverend clergy,
were it not that eminent authorities and
much-esteemed priests had expressed their
approval and a desire that, on account of
its practical value, it should be placed in
the hands especially of the younger clergy.

If this little work, which has cost much
time and labor, should become, even to one
of his fellow-priests, an inspiring friend
and adviser for his life and work, the author
will be satisfied.

He can not but once more express his
heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped
him. He would also be very grateful for
any advice or suggestion in order to elimi-
nate defects or otherwise improve this little
book, if perhaps there should be a demand
for another edition.

CONTENTS

PART I

CHAP. PAGE

I. — Priestly Dignity and Necessity of Per-
fection 1

II. — Priestly Dignity and Human Frailty 10

III. — Imitation of Christ 18

IV.— Holy Poverty 23

V. — Rule of Life 29

VI. — Daily Routine 34

VII.— Disposal of Time 41

VIII.— Care of Health 50

PART II

I.— The Choice of a Housekeeper
II. — The Unsuitable Housekeeper

59
64

III. — Mother and Sister as Housekeepers . 69

73

84

88

95

102

109

115

IV. — The Pastor and the Housekeeper
V. — The Curates and the Housekeeper
VI. — The Pastor and the Curates .
VII. — The Curates and the Pastor .
VIII. — Curates and Neighboring Priests
IX. — Intercourse with Fellow-Priests
X. — Discord Among Priests . . .
XI. — Discord Among Priests (Continued) . 123
vii

viii CONTENTS

PART III

CHAP. PAGE

I. — The Priest at the Beginning of His

Ministry 133

II. — The Priest and His Flock . . . .140
III. — The Priest and the Influential People

of the Parish 148

IV. — The Priest and Civil Authorities . . 154
V. — The Priest and the Schoolmaster . .158
VI. — The Priest's Conduct Toward Women 165
VII. — The Priest in Relation to Clubs . . 175
VIII. — The Priest in His Relations with Per-
sons of a Different Faith . . . 184

PART IV
The Priest in Sickness 195

PART I

RULES FOR THE PASTOR
OF SOULS

CHAPTER I

PRIESTLY DIGNITY AND NECESSITY OF
PERFECTION

Master. Son! Be always mindful of
your high dignity and calling. Be holy, be-
cause the Lord is holy; for He has chosen
you before a thousand others, who were bet-
ter than you, who offended Him less, who
kept His commandments more faithfully.
He has chosen you without your merit, from
pure kindness and mercy, in spite of your
manifold shortcomings and great faults,
and He has bestowed on you the fulness of
His power.

"Thou art a priest" (Ps. cix. 4). With
fear and trembling remember this incom-
parable dignity and calling, because much
is confided to you and much will be de-
manded from you on the Last Day. God has

1

2 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

designed it that thereby you shall be led one
day to the greatest glory with Christ, and
you shall be raised to the very height of
His divinity; but keep in mind that the
wrong use of this awful dignity may cast
you into the depths of the eternal abyss.

In this fear and in the humbleness of their
heart, many holy men, however great their
perfection has been, did not dare to receive
the order of priesthood at all. They held
themselves entirely unworthy of it. Others
could only be induced by holy obedience and
by the urgent advice of their superiors to
take this tremendous dignity upon them-
selves, and then only after years of prepara-
tion spent in prayer and endless works of
mortification, and in the practice of other
virtues; because they continually kept be-
fore their eyes the terrible responsibility
which rests upon the priest's shoulders.

Truly, your sacerdotal dignity, O son, sur-
passes all human comprehension; for
through the holy sacrament of ordination
Christ has given you during your life the
task of continuing the work which He, the
God-Man, did upon earth, and to this end
He has raised you so high as to share with
you those divine powers, which He. the in-

PRIESTLY DIGNITY 3

carnate Word, exercised to sanctify and
beatify man and to glorify His Father. It
is true, also, that all other powers which are
exercised in human society for earthly ends
are instituted by Him. But none, not even
the highest and sublimest of them, rises be-
yond the boundaries of what is transitory,
neither in its nature and comprehensiveness,
nor in its immediate purpose. But you as
a priest share everything with Christ, who
went forth from the Father and returned to
Him: His mission, His sacrifice, His pow-
ers, His fatherhood toward immortal souls,
the aims of His actions, working, and suf-
fering, viz., the glorification of God and the
salvation of immortal souls. In virtue of
your priesthood, which in its innermost es-
sence is a true and real participation in
Christ's eternal priesthood, you are, as it
were, another Christ continuing His life
among men.

As in its very center and in its sublimest
climax, your truly divine power reveals it-
self in the act of consecration. It is you
who speak those words which send a thrill
through heaven and earth. "This is My
body; this is My blood" (Matt xxvi. 26, 28)
— and behold! Our Lord is obedient to

4 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

your call, obedient to the call of His crea-
ture. He descends upon the altar. He
hides His divinity under the appearances of
bread and wine. He is present in the midst
of the faithful. The heavens are filled with
wonder and admiration and man is over-
whelmed with awe and reverence.

The creature exercises real power over the
almighty Creator, in whom were all things
created in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, who is before all and by whom all
things consist, "in whose name every knee
doth bow of those that are in heaven, on
earth, and under the earth" (Philipp. ii.
10.)

You as a priest have the power to offer
up the holy sacrifice of the Mass, in the Re-
deemer's name, in the name of the Church,
of the faithful, and in your own name. This
sacrifice is the true and essential represen-
tation of the sacrifice of the cross, nay it is
the work of redemption itself. As often as
you celebrate this most holy sacrifice, you
give the blessed Trinity greater glory and
adoration than all mankind, all angels, and
all saints have hitherto given or will give
throughout all eternity. It is an infinite
sacrifice of thanksgiving which renders su-

PRIESTLY DIGNITY 5

perabundant thanks for all the benefits be-
stowed upon mankind, whether in the order
of nature or of grace. It is an infinite sac-
rifice of atonement more than sufficient to
blot out not only the sins of the whole world,
but those of many worlds. It is an infinite
sacrifice of impetration, of such power and
merit as to be capable of obtaining all graces
conceivable for mankind.

How sublime, worthy of admiration, and
wonder, O son, is the power which you exer-
cise in offering up the Most Holy Sacrifice !
Not even to the highest angels is it given to
consecrate; in your hand they must adore
that which it is beyond their power to pro-
duce. True, Our Lord allowed His most be-
loved Mother and the holy angels to serve
Him in the mysteries of the redemption dur-
ing the thirty-three years of His visible
presence on earth. But it is the priest who
is to continue His work and to hand on to
posterity the fruits of redemption.

The Church triumphant protects the
Church militant, and with inexpressible
love prays to God Almighty to assist her
children with His powerful grace. But it
is the priest who uninterruptedly preserves
the God-Man and His most august sacrifice

6 KULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

to the Church. He alone performs those
mysterious acts which bring supernatural
life and heavenly grace into souls to obtain
life everlasting.

Just as at the consecration in Mass, power
is given to you, O son, over the eucharistic
body of Christ, in like manner you have
power over the mystic body, His holy
Church, in the administration of the sacra-
ments.

Through holy Baptism you free the chil-
dren of Adam from the slavery of Satan
and lead them as children to Holy Church.
You give them sanctifying grace. You
raise them to the noble dignity of the chil-
dren of God and make them heirs of heaven ;
and thus you bestow on them an incompara-
bly greater benefit than by making them
kings over the whole visible creation.

In the holy sacrament of Penance you ex-
ercise the truly divine power to forgive sins
and to retain them, to open heaven and to
close it. You are enabled to dispel the dark-
ness of sin and despair from the heart ; nay,
to snatch souls from the very brink of
eternal ruin, and to restore to them peace of
heart and friendship with God. Not even
to the highest angels did Our Lord say,

PRIESTLY DIGNITY 7

" whose sins you shall forgive, they are for-
given them ; and whose sins you shall retain,
they are retained" {John xx. 23), but only
to the priest.

Eealize, then, O son, that you exercise
greater power by restoring the life of grace
to souls sleeping the death of sin than by
calling to life those who are dead in body.

At the altar you administer to the faith-
ful the body of Christ and unite them most
intimately with their God. This heavenly
food renders the children of Holy Church
strong like unto lions against the adversa-
ries of their salvation. In it they receive
the pledge of their future glorious resurrec-
tion and eternal happiness.

And, finally, you administer to the sick
and dying the consoling sacrament of Holy
Unction. Purified from sin and the rem-
nants of sin, they are gently and sweetly in-
spired with fresh devotion and the earnest
desire of being soon with God. His own
strength will gird them for their last and
hardest combat.

Consider and ponder well, then, how sub-
lime the office is which has been confided to
you; viz., to save immortal souls for life
eternal — souls, so precious in God's eyes

8 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

that He sacrificed His only begotten Son,
who took the form of a servant and shed
His most precious blood for them! In
laboring for the salvation of souls you are
truly and really " God's coadjutor" (1 Cor.
iii. 9). Of all His divine works, you per-
form the most divine.

Do not forget, however, O son, that
though invested with these mysterious
powers, you are not the Lord but only the
Lord's servant and instrument. Whether
Peter or Cephas or Apollo baptizes, it is
Christ who baptizes. This, therefore, is
your sacred duty, to devote yourself en-
tirely to Him in true humility and to seek
nothing but His honor and glory. Since
you share His powers, it is your bounden
duty to share His holiness also, and to be
holy because He is holy (Lev. xi. 44). If
you are not holy in this divine calling, you
dishonor Christ, disgrace yourself, and seal
your own ruin, whilst you open heaven to
others through your sacerdotal dignity.

Being exalted to such lofty heights, re-
member that anything unbecoming in you is
taken notice of. Even trifling stains be-
come hideous and repulsive disorders in you,
greatly diminishing the splendor of your

PRIESTLY DIGNITY 9

dignity. Be an example to your flock in
every regard; "in word, in conversation, in
charity, in faith, in chastity" (1 Tim. iv.
12).

Excel in purity of heart, in integrity of
morals, in the holy spirit of self-denial, in
boundless love of God and of all men ! Be a
beacon to all in the splendor of all virtues !
Keep the commandments faithfully ! Have
the highest esteem for the evangelical coun-
sels, poverty, chastity, obedience!

Thus you will be "the salt of the earth
and the light of the world' ' (Matt. v. 13, 14).
Your reward in heaven will be exceeding
great and you will shine forth like a sun in
the realms of your heavenly Father.

CHAPTER II

PRIESTLY DIGNITY AND HUMAN FRAILTY

My son ! Certainly God has exalted you.
He has clothed you with heavenly dignity
and bestowed a power on you which sur-
passes everything. Yet you are an heir to
all that frailty which is the lot of all born
of woman, for our nature has been wounded
by sin. You, too, are a poor, fragile being
as long as the exile of your earthly pilgrim-
age lasts. You are hard pressed by innu-
merable temptations from within and from
without. You are in constant danger of
losing your eternal salvation. God has
willed that you, too, should work out your
salvation in weakness and infirmity, and that
you should fight like other men, if you would
win your crown.

Disciple. I know from experience that
the priest's life on earth is a continual strug-
gle. For my probation I have to pass
through the fire and water of temptation,

ere Thou wilt bring me out into a refresh-

10

HUMAN FRAILTY 11

ment (Ps. lxv. 12). Teach me my infirm-
ity and let me know my enemies, lest by dis-
regarding them I fall into sin and death.

Master. Most willingly, my son, will I
reveal to you your great infirmity and the
malice of your enemies. Pray to the Lord,
that He may incline His ear to you and en-
lighten you with His holy inspirations, lest
you become the prey of your enemies; for
the fall of a priest is a terrible calamity.

Original sin has rendered the light of your
understanding dim and has surrounded it
with great darkness. Thus you are in con-
tinual danger of calling evil good and good
evil, putting "darkness for light and light
for darkness" (Is. v. 20).

This danger is increased all the more be-
cause the fires of ungovernable lust blaze up
in your own heart, diminishing the light of
your intellect, and leading it into errors of
judgment more flattering to the passions
than consonant with reason.

The will receives its light from the un-
derstanding and assents to its erroneous
judgments the more readily as it has a de-
termined bias towards evil. "The imagina-
tion and thought of man's heart are prone
to evil from his youth" (Gen. viii. 21).

12 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

It may be that you have understood what
is good and have approved of it in your mind
and taken pleasure in it; yet concupiscence
of the flesh prompts and allures you not to
follow reason but sensuality, and not "to do
the good which you will, but the evil which
you will not" (Bom. vii. 19).

Moreover, the passions of your heart and
your bad inclinations have a powerful ally
in this seductive world of ours. It hides
a thousand dangers, against which a her-
mit is proof, but which the pastor of souls
can not escape. He is not allowed to hand
over to the wolves the flock which has been
entrusted to his care. The world tries to
attract you by means of the glittering col-
ors of the concupiscence of the eyes, the con-
cupiscence of the flesh, and the pride of life.
With the song of these sirens it decoys you
into its snares. Nay, even in the exercise
of the most holy functions it sets traps for
you and tries to draw you into its nets.

And what is worst of all, your arch foe,
Satan, "who goeth about, as a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. v. 8)
conspires with your great frailty and with
the allurements of this wicked world against
you. This hellish fiend is filled with infinite

HUMAN FRAILTY 13

hatred and fury against all children of
Adam. He has no fiercer passion, no am-
bition more determined and insistent, than
to cast them down into the abysses of dark-
ness.

Now, try to realize with what savage
hunger and craving this hellish hound and
his infernal pack unceasingly endeavor to
hunt down priests, the shepherds of the
flock. Oh, their downfall is the greatest tri-
umph of his malice — and their ruin will
surely hand over to him innumerable other
souls !

This fiend of darkness combines with the
fury and strength of a hungry lion the
craftiness and malice of a poisonous serpent
which knows your weaknesses better than
you do. He leaves no device, no trick un-
tried. Whenever concupiscence is ever so
slightly stirred up in you, the old serpent
allures your fancy with the deceitful sweet-
ness of dangerous imaginations. He will
set your passions ablaze. He will raise wild
tumults in your heart. At the same time he
will do his utmost to disturb and delude your
reason with perilous suggestions, so that in
the darkness he causes the will may yield its
consent and through concupiscence fall a

14 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

victim to the enjoyment of the poisoned
bait.

Neither by day nor by night are you safe
from his insidious attacks; even in dreams
he tries to allure you with impure fancies
and imaginations. He makes use of every
favorable opportunity, of any danger to
which you lay yourself open, of the special
circumstances of your life, of the weaknesses
of your character ; in short, of anything that
is in you or around you, in order to lead you
into mortal sin.

Therefore, it is most necessary for you to
arm yourself bravely against the hosts of
enemies who lie hidden in your own heart
and who surround you on all sides, lest you
fall an easy prey to them.

I have seen the sudden fall of the mighty
cedars of Lebanon. I have seen columns
totter and collapse. They were men whose
virtue was thought to be unassailable.
"And the stars from heaven fell upon the
earth' ' (Apoc. vi. 13). Holy King David
fell ; Solomon, the wisest of men, fell ; Peter,
the head of the apostles, fell; bishops and
other great pillars of the Church of God
have fallen ; those who had bravely striven

HUMAN FRAILTY 15

for long years have fallen, cheated in the
end by the devil.

Are you sure, that you, too, will not fall,
you who are much weaker than they were i
" Wherefore he that thinketh himself to
stand, let him take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor.
x. 12). "The spirit indeed is willing, but
the flesh weak. Watch ye therefore, and
pray that ye enter not into temptation "
(Matt. xxvi. 41).

Disciple. "I will confess against myself
my injustice" (Ps. xxxi. 5). I will confess
before the face of the most just God my
great weakness, which, I am sure, is even
greater than I can comprehend. There is
nothing which brings home to me more the
exceeding depths of my misery than the con-
templation of my past life; it is one un-
broken chain of shortcomings, weaknesses,
and failures.

How changeable and unreliable the judg-
ments of my intellect have proven! What
to-day I believed to be true, I thought to be
doubtful to-morrow, and gave up as wrong
the next day. Often have I held that to be
praiseworthy with which I ought to have
found fault ; many times I have disapproved

16 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

of what was worthy of praise. I also have
learned greatly to mistrust my own judg-
ment, whenever it is acting under the influ-
ence of passion.

Still more clearly I come to know the ex-
ceeding frailty of my will. How many good
resolutions have I made and not put into
practice! How many good actions have I
begun and left unfinished ! How often did
I intend to do the good but did the bad in-
stead !

Oh, this heart of mine, buffeted between
good and evil amid the stormy waves of
temptation, has only too often listened more
willingly to the voice of passion, the world,
and Satan, than to the admonitions of my
conscience ! May the Lord pardon me, for
"I see another law in my members, fight-
ing against the law of my mind" {Rom. vii.
23) and I am borne down by the weight of
my corrupt nature.

Henceforth I will day after day remind
myself of my weakness and my enemies.
"I will glory in nothing but in my infirmi-
ties" (2 Cor. xii. 9). I will avoid the dan-
gers of the world as far as my vocation as
priest in the world allows it, and I will im-

HUMAN FRAILTY 17

plore God's almighty assistance unceasingly.
Only in this way shall I be able to preserve
intact my soul and my incomparable sacer-
dotal dignity.

CHAPTER III

IMITATION OF CHRIST

My son! Listen to the word of eternal
life ! There is no other way which leads to
perfection save the way of the imitation of
Christ. Therefore follow Christ and be-
come like unto Him! To this He exhorts
you more than all other Christians. "If
any man minister to Me, let him follow Me"
(John xii. 26). "He that followeth Me,
walketh not in darkness, but shall have the
light of life" (John viii. 12).

If you copy His life in your life and are
a true follower of His, you will enlighten
the world with the light of your life and
loudly give testimony of the true light.

Furthermore, the Lord hath said, "I have
given you an example that as I have done to
you, so you do also" (John xiii. 15). Fol-
low it faithfully, however much self-denial
it may cost you. And may this thought
give you strength, that one day you will be
glorified with Christ in that same degree in

18

IMITATION OF CHRIST 19

which you have been like unto Him on earth.

Disciple. Gladly would I follow Christ
and be wholly like to Him on earth and in
heaven. But how am I to accomplish this !

Master. Thus speaketh the Lord: "If
any man will come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and fol-
low Me" (Luke ix. 23). Many would like
to follow Christ, but few seek to follow Him
in self-denial and suffering. "But I say to
you, no one can follow Me, unless he deny
himself and take up his cross in patience."

To follow Our Lord means to despise a
comfortable and luxurious life, and, on the
other hand, to love what crucifies the flesh
and the passions. To follow Him means,
not to abhor a poor and humble life, a life
of self-abnegation and suffering, but, after
His example, to bear it patiently, yea, to
embrace it with love. Finally, to follow
Him means to take upon one's self all the
trials, self-denials, and hardships which the
life of a priest and pastor of souls brings
along with it ; to bear them not only without
repugnance but with generosity and love.

But do not say in your heart, "This say-
ing is hard, and who can hear it?" (John
vi. 61). Has not Christ Himself trodden

20 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

the path we have described ? Will not you,
a sinful creature, suffer something, after
your God and Creator has undergone a thou-
sand times more, and that for your sins?
Moreover, consider especially that you, His
disciple and friend, have a much stricter ob-
ligation than others, to be like your divine
Master in everything and to follow Him on
the way of the cross.

The way of the cross, that is self-denial
and suffering, is the only way to perfection,
and there is no other road. Every man
who will not take upon himself his cross is
not worthy of the Lord. This is that royal
road along wThich the holy Virgin and
Mother of God ascended to a summit of per-
fection which no other creature has ever
reached, nor will ever reach. To follow
Jesus, to be a most perfect type of her divine
Son, she, the purest lily, had to pass through
endless trials and sufferings of body and
mind. Has not a sevenfold sword pierced
her most innocent heart? Did she not be-
come the queen of martyrs at the moment
when she was plunged into an ocean of bit-
terness, at the foot of the cross %

Look, therefore, at the glorious example
of the ever immaculate Mother of God, who,

IMITATION OF CHRIST 21

free from the guilt and stain of sin, carried
during her pilgrimage on earth a heavier
cross than all the martyrs and saints to-
gether. How, then, can you refuse to take
upon yourself a small cross, since, miserable
sinner that you are, you have every reason
to do penance for your many sins!

How much had Christ's most intimate
friends, the apostles, to suffer, in order to be
His followers: hunger and thirst, heat and
cold, inexpressible hardships, continual
temptations from within and without, con-
tempt, persecution, maltreatment, and fi-
nally a felon's death, for their Master's
sake! In like manner, all those who have
attained to holiness have without any ex-
ception trod the thorny way of the cross.

Therefore, imprint this deeply upon your
heart and let it never be effaced. "No one
can follow Christ unless he deny himself
and carry his cross willingly." Least of all
can a priest hope to escape self-denial and
the cross, if he is ready to practise that de-
gree of virtue which Our Lord asks of him,
and if he tries to fulfil his duty perfectly
toward the flock entrusted to him.

"You shall receive an hundred-fold and
shall possess life everlasting" (Matt. xix.

22 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

29). Never tire of daily meditating on the
poverty of Christ's life, His passion, and
death, as narrated by the evangelists; for
thereby you will day after day imbue your-
self with the spirit of Christ's life and draw
from it strength and counsel to mold your
life on His.

That you may attain this noble end as per-
fectly as possible, make the firm resolution
not to speak or judge or act, without having
first taken counsel within yourself, whether
Christ would have thus judged, spoken, or
acted. Be ever on your guard that your in-
tentions may always be pure and perfect,
and aim solely at the honor of God and the
salvation of souls. And, finally, patiently
bear your cross, which God Himself has put
upon your shoulder in order to make you
more and more perfect and to augment the
store of merit laid up for you in heaven.

If thus you follow Christ, His grace will
make your heart strong and generous, to
walk bravely the royal road of the cross, "as
a giant to run the way" (Ps. xviii. 6). It
will lead you and the flock committed to
your care safely through the miseries of this
life, to the enjoyment of unending happiness
in the world to come.

CHAPTER IV

HOLY POVERTY

My sox, seriously endeavor to be like unto
Jesus, not only in some things, but in every-
thing! Your whole apparel and mode of
life should make it manifest to all that you
are a true follower of Him.

He came down from heaven, was born in
extreme poverty, lived well nigh destitute
of all things, and died in abject poverty. By
the poverty of His life He wished to teach
you to despise earthly goods, which so many
abuse to their eternal ruin.

Few there are who follow Christ in per-
fect poverty. True, a great many are ex-
teriorly poor, but they lack the interior
spirit. Others would practise poverty
according to their whim and fall short
of whole-hearted self-renunciation in all
things.

The children of this world in their blind-
ness have no higher aspiration than to shine
before their fellow-creatures and enjoy the

23

24 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

pleasures of this life. They make light of
goods eternal, yea, despise them, because
their hearts are drawn by the weight of their
passions and their eyes are blinded to the
light of heaven. But what will be their
end?

Above all, woe to the priest, who is given
to luxury and indulgence! He has been
chosen precisely to fight against the vanity
and luxury of this world with the twofold
weapon of his word and his example. But
if the shepherd, wTho ought to be a model
and example to his flock, indulges in the
pernicious spirit of worldliness, how, then,
can it be quelled ?

You, my son, do not follow the advice and
example of those, who in the folly of their
heart make themselves believe that it be-
comes only Religious to practise holy pov-
erty and to give an example of it to the
world. Or are you, as a secular priest, un-
der less obligation to strive after perfection
than Religious? Or can perfection ever be
attained without practising poverty? Cer-
tainly you have not the obligations of a vow,
nor are you bound to the poverty of a Re-
ligious; yet, to become perfect you have to
practise poverty in spirit and also exterior

HOLY POVERTY 25

poverty as far as it becomes your state of
life.

You can not even call yourself a disciple
of Christ unless you detach your heart from
earthly goods ; for thus speaketh the Lord :
" Every one of you that does not renounce
all that he possesseth, can not be my dis-
ciple" (Luke xiv. 33). But you ought not
to be his disciple only, but a priest of the
Most High and a second Christ.

Remember that from the solemn moment
of the reception of the sacred tonsure you
have chosen the Lord to be your portion.
Then you bade farewell to the world and its
splendor. "Dominus pars hereditatis meae
et colitis mei." "The Lord is my portion,''
not the goods of this world. How can He
be entirely yours, if you do not belong ex-
clusively to Him and if your heart still
hankers after those vain, perishable goods
of this earth?

Furthermore, do you not day after day
proclaim publicly by your clerical attire —
which is a symbol of death — that you are
dead to the world and its pleasures? Do
you not thereby openly confess that you will
no more love what it loves, but God alone
and His goods ?

26 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

But some may, perhaps, f oolishly believe
that they can influence men's minds by a
display of pomp and woiidliness, and there-
by promote the eternal salvation of their fel-
low-men. It may be that some lukewarm
Catholics who have false ideas of the voca-
tion of a priest are thereby perhaps at-
tracted, but rarely will they be led to a bet-
ter life. The majority of the faithful,
however, esteem nothing higher in their pas-
tor than when he leads a poor and humble
life after the example of Christ and His
saints. Not appearances, not wordly pomp
and splendor will secure him a high reputa-
tion among his flock, but a rigid adherence
to the principles of faith and the dictates
of a blameless conscience.

To such a priest, the poor and the needy
feel themselves drawn ; he understands their
misfortunes and miseries ; he knows how to
console them, because he himself has first
trodden the way of the cross, because he
himself leads a life of self-denial and self-
imposed poverty. To many a pastor who
indulges in luxury and self -enjoyment they
may answer his consolations with the words :
"Well, if I could live like you, I should cer-
tainly be content with my lot."

HOLY POVERTY 27

Who were the men that secured such
enormous successes in the conversion of in-
fidels and of such as had gone astray at
times of religous indifference, or of degen-
eration of the Catholic people ? Were they
those who indulged in the vanity and luxury
of this world ? Remember those great bish-
ops, Ambrose and Augustine, the blessed
Cure d'Ars, and many others! Behold men
who had renounced the world and its
splendor !

Thus history confirms the judgment of
sound reason ! It tells you that vanity has
never been conquered by vanity, nor luxury
by luxury, but that only humility and con-
tempt of earthly goods and, above all, per-
fect poverty have overcome the world.

Even the children of this world, who cling
with every fiber of their heart to earthly
possessions and the enjoyment of their
goods, are never more impressed than by the
sight of a priest who sacrifices not only his
health for the welfare of his flock but also
everything he possesses. His mere appear-
ance is a most powerful sermon for high and
low, believers and unbelievers ; his word and
example are like a two-edged sword which
pierces their hearts. In the confessional it

28 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

is the gentle, alluring call of the good shep-
herd, whose heart flows over with love and
tenderness, whose comforting words soften
the hardest sinner, whose warning voice
leads the erring child back again to the right
path. From the apostles, down through all
the ages to our own day, it was holy poverty
which gave the priest the greatest power
over the hearts of men, above all over those
of sinners.

Disciple. I understand, O Lord, how
necessary it is for me to follow Christ in
holy poverty. Teach me, then, in my daily
life, how exactly I must form myself on
the great principles which Thou hast made
known to me.

CHAPTER V

RTJLE OF LIFE

Master. All praise to you, my son, who
are resolved to do violence to yourself in the
practice of holy poverty! It will free you
from yourself, earthly goods, and the favor
of the children of the world. Holy poverty
will make you walk the straight way of duty
and raise your heart to higher perfection.
"He that can take, let him take it" (Matt.
xix, 12).

Even if you, as a priest, are possessed of
money and property, it will not hinder you
from imitating Jesus in extreme poverty
and imposing upon yourself voluntary pri-
vation in many things. With regard to
poverty of spirit, however, an unlimited
field opens itself to you, and you will have
abundant opportunities of reaching the
highest degree of perfection. "Blessed are
the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven" (Matt. v. 3).

The very surroundings of the priest

29

30 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

should betoken the spirit with which he is
animated. The light of his virtues should
shine forth in everything he is doing, so that
those who visit him may be edified and filled
with reverence.

Every feature of his household must be
of such a nature as to sever him from self-
indulgence; it ought rather to help him in
his striving after virtue, which he will never
attain without mortification and self-denial.

Therefore, let everything about you be
simple and unaffected, far removed from
vain ostentation and well suited to the na-
ture of your calling. Nothing should be
found in your house savoring of luxury and
worldliness. In place of those paintings
which are unbecoming to the eye of a priest,
adorn your house with images of Christ, our
Lady, and His saints, and with those inspir-
ing scenes of the New and Old Testament,
that they may be a source of edification to
yourself and those that visit you. From
time immemorial Holy Church has ever
thought it fitting that bishops, and simple
priests alike, should thus adorn their houses.

Food and drink are intended to keep the
body in good health and to make it fit and
capable of enduring hardships. Your diet

RULE OF LIFE 31

must never be a weight on you, nor must it
ever in the least interfere with any function
of that divine work of saving souls. Let
your fare be simple, substantial, and whole-
some! Worldly people indulge in delica-
cies, which enervate them, make them ef-
feminate and prone to sensuality. But
you, Christ's follower in holy poverty, de-
spise all appearance of gluttony and keep
your flesh under strict control. Thus you
will exercise perfect self-command; the flesh
will never be able to overrule your better
judgment, nor will it expose you to the
danger of losing your soul. "Be sober"
(2 Tim. iv, 5). If any man, then it is the
priest of the Church of God who at all times
must be complete master of his body and
mind; for, it is incumbent on him to lead
immortal souls to life eternal, a work than
which nothing more important can be con-
ceived on earth.

No less than luxury and prodigality, keep
avarice and miserliness from your door!
Give liberally to the poor of the fruits of
holy poverty which you practise— and no-
body will censure your frugality !

Should you be delicate, act according to
the advice of a conscientious physician ; but

32 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OP SOULS

do not give way to useless whims and
fancies, and the promptings of a fastidious
taste.

With regard to your clothing, follow the
general laws of Holy Church and the par-
ticular prescriptions of your diocese. They
contain the holy will of God, manifested
through your superiors. He who makes
light of such prudent ecclesiastical rules and
disregards them without good reason be-
trays great lack of religious gravity. How
can he be thoroughly imbued with the cleri-
cal spirit who does not take pains to ex-
hibit it in his exterior also ?

Avoid every form of ostentation; it be-
comes no one less than a priest whose very
vocation requires him to condemn every
kind of vanity. On the other hand, may the
love and esteem for the sacerdotal state, to
which it is your greatest privilege to be-
long, move and impel you to shun every
trace of carelessness and unbecomingness in
your exterior. Your whole appearance
must bear the stamp of true sacerdotal dig-
nity in the eyes of the faithful. Priests
who are not afraid to appear publicly in
negligent attire, are gravely reprehensible;
they damage not only their own reputation

RULE OF LIFE 33

and their own work for souls, but they ren-
der the sacerdotal state contemptible and
expose it to ridicule and mockery.

My son! "Be not conformed to this
world" {Rom. xii. 2). Practise holy pov-
erty in the way I have shown you and at
every call upon you exhibit liberality ac-
cording to your means. "He that hath
mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord : and
He will repay him" (Prov. xix, 17), and be
not anxious for the future; for "he that
giveth to the poor shall not want" (Prov.
xxviii. 27).

CHAPTER VI

DAILY ROUTINE

My son! If you wish to follow Christ
and acquire perfection, it is very necessary
for you to control yourself at all times, in
all places, and on each and every oppor-
tunity.

Many do not control themselves, but allow
themselves to be ruled by their whims and
fancies, which often are nothing but prompt-
ings of laziness and a kind of greed for dis-
sipation. All their actions and omissions
are influenced by these fancies, and what is
worse, only a few become aware of the fact
that they are more and more losing self-
control. They become slaves to their own
caprice and thus expose themselves and
those confided to them to the danger of for-
feiting their eternal welfare.

As the time of Religious is strictly ap-
portioned according to rule, in order that
every minute of the day may be profitably
employed, so you have a still greater obli-

34

DAILY ROUTINE 35

gation to be complete master of yourself;
for you are often left to yourself and you
can freely dispose of many hours of the day
which you can spend well or ill. Moreover,
your vocation as a priest will lead you into
the very midst of a frivolous and light-
minded world, which will tempt you in many
ways to be unfaithful to your principles and
to neglect your grave sacerdotal duties.

Within a short time you might learn how
to control yourself in everything if you were
determined to follow a fixed order in your
every-day life. This would become a means
of safety against the frailty and fickleness
of your will, and give you a strong hold
against your weaknesses and inconsistencies.
You wrould no longer act according to the
suggestions of your moods and imaginations,
but according to the promptings of duty,
utility, and expediency.

Now, then, make a firm resolution, and,
as far as circumstances allow, appoint a
fixed time for rising and going to bed, the
chief meals, your spiritual exercises, the
preparation for religious instructions and
sermons, your private study, the visits to the
sick, and your recreation.

If in these matters you give way to whims

36 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

and fancies which impel you now to do this
and then that, know well that the idleness
of your corrupt nature will soon get the
better of you. It will induce you to do in
everything that which is easier, more com-
fortable, or at least more agreeable to you,
so that you will neglect many duties toward
your own soul and the flock which God has
committed to you. This danger will be all
the greater as in your state of life you may
be to a large extent your own master. But
if you are once accustomed to a free and un-
restrained life, you will be exposed to all
kinds of disorders,; you are on the broad
road leading down from the height of per-
fection which you may already have ac-
quired, and nobody can tell where you will
stop.

Very soon you will have to accuse your-
self of many failings. Your morning prayer,
meditation, and preparation for Mass
you will make now well, now badly, now too
hastily; sometimes you will entirely omit
them. How much will the worthy offering
of the Most Holy Sacrifice suffer thereby!
Your breviary, that divine office, which
every priest ought to say with great faith-
fulness and devotion, you will recite just

DAILY ROUTINE 37

as th§ fit takes you, and then often with
carelessness, distractions, and unnecessary
haste. No better will it fare with regard to
the regularity of your confessions, on which
your progress in spiritual life depends to
such a great extent.

In many things you will find yourself to
be unpunctual. In your recreations and
favorite occupations you will easily exceed
the proper limits and waste that most
precious time which should be spent in the
cure of immortal souls. You will postpone
your preparation for catechetical instruc-
tions and sermons to the last minute; then
you will hurry through it or even omit it.
Important official duties are sure to be per-
formed at ill-chosen times and in a hurry.
Business which will not admit of delay will
be left undone for days to come.

Visits to the sick, the pastor's dearest
duty, you will pay irregularly, and now and
then drop them entirely without any excuse,
and thus burden your conscience for the day
of judgment. Agreeable visits you will un-
duly prolong, and unduly shorten or omit
those which are not to your taste, which,
however, would be of the greatest profit for
the souls concerned. Further, you will put

38 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

off or drop for too long a time visits to this
or that neighboring priest who is not so
congenial to you, and thus the good feeling
which ought to prevail among brother
priests will suffer immensely.

And then, my son, in the face of all this,
beware of being so blind as to palliate your
negligence and carelessness with the excuse
of want of time ; for, in the life of a priest
and in the cure of souls there is nothing
which can be considered small and unimpor-
tant. If you never acted by caprice, but
observed a fixed order in your every-day
life, appointing a suitable time for every-
thing, you would never have to complain of
lack of time. Having first fulfilled all your
duties in the best way possible, you would
still find ample time for all necessary recrea-
tion.

May God in His mercy open your eyes in
this life, that when brought before His
judgment-seat you may not be found want-
ing.

Disciple. "What Thou say est, O Lord, is
true. But it is so extremely difficult for a
priest to follow a fixed order in his daily
life, in the face of so many obstacles, dis-
tractions, and unforeseen occurrences.

DAILY ROUTINE 39

Master. It is true, my son, it will cost
you great self-denial to faithfully carry into
execution a fixed order of life. But in-
comparably more difficult is it for a priest
without such rules to discharge his manifold
duties toward himself and the souls he has
to look after. You must do violence to idle-
ness and caprice.

The Holy Ghost calls this life a warfare.
But if a layman has to use violence in order
to bear away the kingdom of heaven, how
much more must a pastor of souls do the
same! For he ought to be a model to his
flock, and a higher degree of virtue and self-
denial is expected of him than of the simple
faithful. "The kingdom of heaven suf-
fereth violence and the violent bear it away "
(Matt. xi. 12). Therefore overcome your-
self manfully, and your struggle will be
crowned with success.

With the grace of God which you call
down upon yourself in prayer, Christian
prudence will show you the right way of
finding out that order of life which is best
suited to your special circumstances and the
particular sphere of your professional
duties. If with that heavenly wisdom you
lay your plans and make allowance as far

40 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

as due consideration for others requires it,
you need never be afraid that your rule of
life will ever become rigid and unpliable.
At least try one particular point for some
time and you will marvel at its wonderful
efficacy; it will prove a boon for soul and
body; you will find that it substantially
lightens the heavy burden of your obliga-
tions, nay that it becomes a real need and
second nature to you.

Remember this saying, my son: "He who
lives for his Rule, lives for God." There-
fore be steadfast, and as far as it depends
on you be unflinching in the carrying out of
these rules in your daily life. Then you also
will be a good shepherd, a model for your
brother priests, a source of edification for
the inmates of your house, and a glorious ex-
ample for your own parishioners. You will
possess peace of heart and attain to high per-
fection.

CHAPTER VII

DISPOSAL OF TIME

My son, what is the life of man upon
earth? "It is a vapor which appeareth
for a little while, and afterward shall vanish
away" {James iv. 15). It is the passing of
a shadow; it is like a ship which traverses
the wide ocean; and when it has passed
leaves no trace behind it. And vet, accord-
ing as this fleeting life has been ill or well-
spent, so will be your fate throughout eter-
nity.

Oh, the folly of those who do not zealously
spend this short span of time which is to be
the measure of their eternity! Oh, the
folly, above all, of the pastors of souls, who
waste on trifling dissipations and vain
amusements their infinitely precious time,
which is to decide the eternity of thousands !
Woe to them, if, through neglect of their
most sacred duties, even one of the sheep
which have been entrusted to them should
be lost!

41

42 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

You, my son, be wise! Be miserly with
your time as long as the day lasts! For
suddenly will the night break in upon you,
in which you can work no more.

Indeed, it is meet and just that you spend
and consecrate all the hours, yea, each and
every minute of the day, to the greater
glory of your God. For He has created you
out of nothing. He has redeemed you from
the slavery of Satan and destined you to
eternal happiness, the glories of which
by far surpass all human comprehension.
Therefore let it be your most earnest en-
deavor to make the best use not only of the
time during which you fulfil those infinitely
responsible duties of your vocation, but also
of your leisure hours in which you may no
less promote God's honor and glory.

To this end observe a fixed order in your
daily life wTith great conscientiousness. If
you are overburdened with work and if you
have hardly breathing time between one
duty and another, there will scarcely be
question of leisure hours for you. If that
be the case, sanctify all your actions, even
the most trifling ones, with a good intention,
which you do well to renew from time to

DISPOSAL OF TIME 43

time. Take special care to divide your time
as best you can, allotting to each and every
action that amount which corresponds to its
importance, so that you may never be
obliged to do anything hurriedly or care-
lessly. Finally, make all the sacrifices
which your holy vocation demands from you
with great patience and generosity.

If a great deal of free time is at your dis-
posal, fear nothing more than sloth, which
has already led many a priest into the night
of sin and eternal death ; for idleness is the
surest and most fertile soil for every kind
of temptation. Sloth lays your heart open
to the wicked suggestions of the devil and
the base allurements of your nature, so
prone to sin ; and you will more surely fall
a prey to them, for the idle man is usually
the first to succumb.

Idleness wrought the downfall of David,
as it did of Solomon and Samson, who were
saints just so long as idleness was a stranger
to them. Take this lesson to heart, my son,
that the fatal words may never be applied
to you, "But he went about idle and fell into
sin." Know, then, that nothing turns aside
the manifold temptations which befall a

44 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

secular priest more efficaciously than well-
regulated occupations and an orderly dis-
posal of one's time.

Disciple. For this I long, O Lord, and
this I desire, to consecrate every moment of
my life to Thee and to serve Thee alone.
To seek and fulfil Thy most holy will is the
delight of my soul. Now help my poor un-
derstanding, and instruct me how I may
spend my leisure time according to Thy
good pleasure.

Master. My son! Listen to my counsel
and follow my words and you will bear
abundant fruit for eternity. If you have
conscientiously performed all your duties,
then, above all, earnestly set to work to
deepen and widen your theological and pas-
toral studies. "For the lips of the priest
shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek
the law at his mouth ; because he is the an-
gel of the Lord of hosts" (Malach. ii. 7).

Next, you may in a becoming manner oc-
cupy yourself with some secular branch of
study which is to your taste, such as natural
science, or history, or as King David did,
with music. This will banish idleness, en-
large your mental horizon, and, besides,
furnish you with suitable matter for con-

DISPOSAL OF TIME 45

versing with educated laymen, who not
unfrequently upbraid the clergy with preju-
dice and narrowness of view. If God has
endowed you with some special gift, where-
with to further the interests of the Church
and the salvation of souls, use it to its full-
est advantage; for you will one day have
to give an account of its use.

Thus many a zealous priest has defended
Holy Church with the two-edged sword of
speech and writing, put to shame the malice
of her embittered enemies, and turned their
own weapons against themselves. Others
have gained great renown as prominent
scholars in the pursuit of various studies.
Others, again, have glorified the Spouse of
Christ, Holy Church, by painting and sculp-
ture, and left behind to wondering poster-
ity magnificent monuments, the fruit of
their toil and labor. By means of sound
popular writings, others have led thousands
and thousands to a truly Christian life. Im-
itate their bright and illustrious example to
the best of your power, so that one day you
may be found worthy to be united to this
glorious band in heaven.

Moreover, it would be most pleasing in
the sight of God if you employed part of

46 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

your leisure time in taking charge of well-
talented boys of good Catholic families, of
the poorer class, in order to prepare them
for higher studies. Another highly meri-
torious work would be to contribute to Cath-
olic periodicals and the Catholic press gen-
erally, which in our days has to cope with a
task of paramount importance ; for it is as-
saulted from all sides by the emissaries of
error, falsehood, and malice. In this way
you will also help toward silencing that re-
proach, over and over again levelled against
the Church by her enemies — and unhappily
by many of her disloyal sons — that she is
not competent to deal with the scientific re-
quirements of the age.

As Christ's devoted follower in holy pov-
erty, you ought to care little, whether or no
you will obtain the due reward and acknowl-
edgment for your labor, but rather look at
the magnificent fruits which ensue there-
from. Besides Christ pledges His royal
word, that your troubles and endeavors shall
be rewarded a thousandfold.

Finally, part of your leisure time you
may also fittingly spend in practising some
special devotions, in answering letters, or in
any other occupation which will promote

DISPOSAL OP TIME 47

your bodily and mental well-being. But
take care that exercise and recreation should
not outweigh your necessary mental pur-
suits.

Whenever possible, spend your free time
with God in nature. Open mind and heart
to the gentle yet inspiring voice which God's
handiworks, animate and inanimate, whis-
per into your ears.

Refresh yourself with the sight of the
lovely flowers and spreading trees, the birds
of the air and the animals in field and for-
est, creatures which God in His goodness
has created for the pleasure and comfort of
man. In the roll of the thunder and the
flash of the lightning, amid the howling of
the storm, in the height of the mountain and
the depth of the sea, in the cold of the north
and the glow of the south — in all this ad-
mire and adore the power of the out-
stretched hand of God Almighty ! Let your
eyes rest on those innumerable heavenly
bodies which trace out their orbits according
to eternal laws, and marvel at the astound-
ing harmony and design, in the workings of
nature. There you will come face to face
with God's omnipotence, wisdom, bounty,
love, and sanctity.

48 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

The more you penetrate into this mys-
terious workshop and immerse yourself in
the meditation of God's immense creation,
the more will you humble yourself in His
all-powerful hands, the more will you be en-
raptured with the highest praise of His di-
vine majesty, and cry out from the depth of
your humility, "How great are Thy works,
O Lord" (Ps. ciii. 24). "Tu solas Do-
minus, Tu solus Altissinius."

With such a walk, so refreshing for body
and soul, you can easily combine a visit to
a brother priest, to some sick person, or to
a neighboring church, thus combining the
useful with the agreeable.

But with all these good and useful occu-
pations, do not forget, my son, that the
priest's first and most solemn duty lies in
striving with all his powers after the salva-
tion of his own soul and the souls of those
that have been entrusted to him. What
would it profit him on the great day of reck-
oning, if he has done splendid work in other
directions and gained high reputation be-
fore men, but has neglected his own soul and
the eternal welfare of his flock?

Prefer, then, what is necessary to what is
useful, and what is useful to what is agree-

DISPOSAL OF TIME 49

able. Attend to everything within reason-
able limits and according to its importance.
Then you may hope to be found worthy one
day to be called the faithful servant who to
the five talents given him has added another
five.

CHAPTER VIII

CARE OF HEALTH

My son ! Always take reasonable care of
your health together with proper precau-
tions for its maintenance ! Do not imagine
that you act perfectly by neglecting it alto-
gether. How many priests have all too
soon suffered the loss of their vigor and
strength, because they did not pay proper
heed to their health and by unduly overtax-
ing themselves have utterly ruined it.

Disciple. What Thou sayest, O Lord, is
true. But are not these zealous men to be
excused by reason of the excess of their
work which no one can escape without neg-
lect of duty? Teach me, then, how I must
take care of and preserve my health in har-
mony with the principles of perfection.

Master. With regard to excess of work,
my son, remember that with the majority of
priests this occurs on certain days and sea-
sons only. There will come quiet seasons

50

CARE OF HEALTH 51

and days of repose, during which a secular
priest may most conveniently look after his
health and recruit his former strength. Un-
doubtedly, where there is great scarcity of
priests, or where extraordinary circum-
stances prevail, it may happen that he can
think little of his health ; indeed it may even
be that he will sooner or later break down.
But these are the exceptions.

Yet the number of those who before their
time and through their own fault have be-
come partly or entirely unfit for work is by
no means insignificant; for, although they
knew that they wrere of a weak constitution,
they did not take proper care of themselves.
Happy those, who from their very youth
have allowed themselves to be guided by
Christian prudence with regard to the state
of their health ! Many have weakened their
vigor and power of resistance for life by
excess while young, either in their studies
or in sports and amusements. In this way
they have acted against the intentions of
God Almighty and made the Church forfeit
the claims she had on their full service.
Only with great difficulty, and that inter-
mittently, have they been able to do justice

52 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OP SOULS

to the heavy obligations of their vocation.
They have been punished in that in which
they had sinned.

Therefore, my son, follow the general
rules of health as faithfully as possible. Let
your rooms be well-aired and well-lighted.
And then keep in mind that besides a well-
approved way of living, order, regularity,
and moderation in everything, and last but
not least, the blessing of a good conscience,
are the most powerful factors in the mainte-
nance of your health.

Imitate the regulars in this respect.
They are able to do such an amount of work
because their time is so admirably portioned
out. Their rule of life in general and their
order of the day in particular are laid out,
as far as their professional work permits,
according to the general rules of health.
Their order and regularity in everything,
especially in rising and retiring, their sim-
ple and wholesome fare, the care that is
taken that studies, bodily work, and recrea-
tion follow in due course, that suitable re-
laxation after the chief meals and the fixed
amount for sleep — all these things are of
the greatest importance in order to keep
good health.

CARE OF HEALTH 53

Whenever you are hard pressed with
work, distribute it evenly over your work-
ing hours, distinguish well between the im-
portant and the unimportant, practise rea-
sonable moderation, and you will get
through an enormous amount of work with-
out impairing your health.

No less than the general rules of health,
conscientiously observe the special instruc-
tions which are given to priests in their Pas-
toral Medicine for the various branches of
their profession. Do not make light
of them, vainly presuming that you are
proof against everything. Before long you
may have to pay dearly for your want of
care and vigilance. If you are weak and
delicate, take the necessary precautions and
make use of the means recommended by
good physicians before it is too late.

As to relaxation and amusement, remem-
ber that not everything is as conducive to
health as it is sometimes said to be. What
is excellent for your neighbor, may prove
harmful to you.

There are especially two evils against
which I should like to put you on your
guard, with all the sincerity and love of a
father's heart: frequent shortening of your

54 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OP SOULS

sleep and excess in the use of spirits. Sec-
ular priests, directors of clubs and guilds,
who have to attend late meetings or evening
entertainments, will most certainly be ex-
posed to these temptations. Keep this con-
stantly before your mind, that thereby you
may not only render more difficult, nay, per-
haps impossible, the conscientious fulfill-
ment of your duties, but that you may not
also ruin your health.

You will be able to avoid the first of these
evils by making it a firm rule to rise and
retire at a fixed hour. When attending
club meetings or other social gatherings, ap-
point beforehand a certain hour for leaving,
and observe it persistently, making allow-
ance, of course, for extraordinary circum-
stances. You may combat the second evil
successfully if you observe strict moderation
day by day and under no circumstances al-
low yourself to overstep certain fixed limits.

If you follow these instructions, you need
never be afraid of falling short of the re-
quirements of true pastoral zeal. You will
not only be enabled to stand a greater strain
in body and mind, but your energy and ca-
pability for mastering work will be greatly
increased.

CARE OF HEALTH 55

On the other hand, it would be as blame-
worthy to be over-nice and scrupulous in the
care of your health as it would be to be neg-
ligent. Such a man will always be inclined
to give preference to mere trifles, instead
of resolutely fulfilling the most sacred du-
ties of his vocation. He is a burden to him-
self and those around him. Observe moder-
ation in all things ; for the golden mean is
always the best and safest road.

Accommodate yourself as much as possi-
ble to the special circumstances of the place,
your parishioners, and domestic life.
Should they tax your health and strength
somewhat heavily, then call to mind that
people in the world have to put up with as
many and perhaps greater trials and wor-
ries which are by no means conducive to
health. They know that certain trials and
hardships, being intimately connected with
their daily work and profession, can not be
avoided.

Since, however, the most sacred and most
responsible office is entrusted to you, viz.,
to lead immortal souls to life eternal, you
must be ready to make greater sacrifices
than people of the world. Should the
salvation of even one of your flock demand

56 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

it, you must be ready to sacrifice your
strength and health, yea even your life.
But this does not militate against the sin-
cere admonitions I have given you, to care
for and preserve your health as much as lies
in your power.

,

PART II

57

CHAPTER I

THE CHOICE OF A HOUSEKEEPER

My son! Consider the choice of your
housekeeper as a matter of paramount im-
portance, which can not be thought over too
carefully. Experience shows that the house-
keeper may in many ways be the cause of
much good as well as the source of great
evil. It is, therefore, no matter of indiffer-
ence what kind of person you admit into the
service of the presbytery. She must be pos-
sessed of certain definite qualifications.

Not without good reason, God in His in-
finite wisdom chose St. Joseph to be the
bridegroom of our blessed Lady. It was
his virtues which made him worthy of so
singularly exalted a position in preference
to so many others. Because Mary was holy,
God appointed Joseph to be her companion
and protector; and Joseph was a just man.

In like manner, the person who has the
honor of living under the same roof with,
and of looking after the household affairs

60 RULES FOR TPIE PASTOR OF SOULS

of a priest of the Most High, ought to be a
model of a virtuous and God-fearing life.

This you will understand all the better,
my son, when you consider that God and the
world strictly demand from you, that you as
a priest lead the life of an angel in the flesh ;
you are expected to be a bright example of
every virtue, and, together with your house-
hold, to be a source of edification to the
faithful. But how will you be able to ac-
complish all this, if your housekeeper be-
trays dispositions and qualities which will
greatly endanger and even bring to naught
all your worthy aspirations ? Is it not true,
that in the course of time every man will be
influenced by the perverse qualities of his
surroundings ? Now can we expect that the
priest, merely in virtue of his priesthood,
will remain proof against the bad influences
of those around him? Or does this wicked,
suspicious world apply to the priest and his
household this saying only, "With the holy,
thou wilt be holy" (Ps. xvii. 26) ? Does it
not also say, "With the perverse thou wilt
be perverted" (P*. xvii. 27) ?

Disciple. I clearly see that not every
person is qualified for looking after the
management of my household. Before I

CHOICE OF A HOUSEKEEPER 61

make my choice, I must study God's holy
will. Therefore teach me how I may best
accomplish this important work.

Master. Take my advice and you will
never repent of it, for the Lord will be with
you. If you wish to arrange your house-
hold affairs for the profit of your soul, and
to please God Almighty, it is not sufficient
that the person you intend to choose should
fully understand how to manage, and pos-
sess health and strength enough for the ful-
fillment of her duties. This goes without
saying, and it is all the more true, if other
priests live with you in the same house. For
they rightly claim to be looked after in a
way suitable to their station. But, above
all, let it be your most earnest endeavor to
choose a person who is virtuous; for the
aims of a priest are eternal and far beyond
the thoughts of the children of this world.
Theref ore let him view all his doings in the
light of eternity.

From the very outset you must consider
any person unfit, even if it be mother or sis-
ter, who betrays qualities which would en-
danger your own striving after perfection
or hinder greater good in the cure of souls.
Therefore, have your eyes open and consider

62 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

the matter chiefly under that twofold as-
pect. You will soon find who will suit you
and who will not.

Conscientiously observe the ecclesiastical
prescriptions which enjoin upon the priest
the acceptance either of relations or of per-
sons whose age and virtue render them above
suspicion. Holy Church has laid down
these rules for you with a mother's love and
care, in order to assist your easily-misguided
judgment and to show you in what direction
your real good lies. These precepts are the
outcome of the experience of hundreds of
years. If you are careless in their observ-
ance, you act against God's holy will; you
will have no claim to the special assistance
of His manifold graces, and you will find
yourself punished in the very thing in which
you will have sinned.

This applies especially to those who give
preference to youth rather than to virtue,
to comeliness rather than gravity, to cheer-
fulness rather than modesty and lowliness
of heart, to human wisdom, savoring of the
spirit of this world, rather than to true
Christian prudence from above. In this
case feeling overpowers one's better judg-
ment. What good can you expect when the

CHOICE OF A HOUSEKEEPER 63

beginning is founded rather in the flesh
than in the spirit. "He that loveth danger
shall perish in it" (Ecclus. iii, 27).

Disciple. Very grave are Thy words, O
Lord I Holy fear penetrates my heart. I
am "a reed shaken with the wind" (Matt.
xi. 7). "Send forth thy light and thy
truth" (Ps. xlii. 3) to dispel the darkness
of my ignorance. But Thou, O Lord, con-
tinue to teach me how I am to act.

CHAPTER II

THE UNSUITABLE HOUSEKEEPER

Your humility, my son, is pleasing in my
sight and makes your heart ready for re-
ceiving the words of truth. Therefore I
take pleasure in speaking to you and in-
structing you according to your desire.

Needless to say, it can not be the will of
God that you should select a person who
does not enjoy good repute among men and
whose name is open even slightly to the as-
persions of detractors. Light-minded and
frivolous persons, and those unduly addicted
to dress; the extravagant and the vain;
those who are not exemplary in the recep-
tion of the sacraments and attendance at
church — these should likewise be excluded
from the precincts of the presbytery.

Further, beware of persons who will not
content themselves with looking after your
household affairs, but who are likely to med-
dle with the parish; such as those who
shrink from a retired life, and go gossiping

64

THE UNSUITABLE HOUSEKEEPER 65

and talebearing from house to house. The
action of such persons may place the priest
in the most awkward situation ; for they dis-
close those things which ought to be kept
secret, and what is worse still, they are often
wrongly informed by malicious tongues.
Do not forget that there are always people
whose constant aim is to bias the parish
priest against certain persons, families, or
clubs, and set the different parties against
one another. Owing to idle gossipers and
talebearers many a priest has done bitter
injustice to some of his parishioners, found
himself involved in party strifes, lost the
confidence of many, and made his owti life
a heavy burden to himself.

Heaven preserve you from a housekeeper
who is given to lying, slander, and calumny !
What untold harm have such persons done
with their slanderous tongues ! How often
have they unwittingly been doing the devil's
work, that spirit of unspeakable malice!
They have robbed pastors of their reputa-
tion, they have sown discord among brother
priests, they have conjured up hateful con-
tentions in parishes and caused irreconcila-
ble enmities to spring up ; the shepherd has
become an object of ridicule to his flock, and

66 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

numbers of Christians have become es-
tranged from their religion.

Beware, also, of persons of a domineering
spirit. It is quite consonant with their
character to arrogate to themselves rights
to which they have no claim. Their self-
willed and overbearing behavior will be a
scandal to the parishioners, who will natu-
rally take a dislike to visiting their pastor.
The assistant priests will seriously complain
of the haughty treatment and deception to
which they are subjected, and of the unau-
thorized interference in their own duties and
offices. The bonds of peace and harmony
between the pastor and his curates are thus
only too easily loosened, if not entirely
broken.

Prodigal housekeepers are liable to bring
upon a parish priest manifold troubles, pe-
cuniary embarrassments, debts, and things
which are worse than these.

Housekeepers who are miserly give your
coadjutors constant cause for complaint
with regard to food, lodging, and general
arrangements. They will hinder many
works of mercy and occasion much ill will
among the people, who dislike nothing more
in their pastor than seeing that he lends a

THE UNSUITABLE HOUSEKEEPER 67

deaf ear to the poor and needy. Such per-
sons discredit the presbytery with the peo-
ple and are often the cause of its being
shunned by neighboring priests.

Do not admit into your service a person
of means who comes under the pretext of
offering you a helping hand, if need be.
Very few priests get on well with well-to-do
people of this class; only the blind do not
see the golden chains which rob them of
their independence.

Relations of a quarrelsome disposition
who in all likelihood can not live in peace
with you either, and are possessed of other
sinister qualities, may be supported and
helped on in life by you, as far as your
means go and prudence suggests; but keep
them out of the presbytery, if you want to
enjoy peace of soul within your home.

Finally, proceed with great caution and
discretion, if there be question of choosing
a person from a family with which you are
more intimately acquainted. She will ex-
pect to be treated with special consideration,
and if you find her unfit, there will be
greater difficulty in dismissing her than a
stranger.

How happy are you, if you have chosen

68 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

a person in whose heart there is no guile,
whose only ambition is virtue and retire-
ment, whose whole mind is set on looking
after the management of your household
with the greatest diligence. Happy you, if
you have found one who is respectful to-
ward priests, and gentle and affable in deal-
ing with others ; whose heart is full of com-
miseration for the needy and the poor. She
will be a source of edification to you and all
who are entrusted to your care.

Disciple. Yes, Master! But how can I
find such a one?

Master. Conscientiously follow the in-
structions I have given you. Pray for
light. Use every means to select the most
suitable person. Balance equally her mer-
its and faults. Then make your choice,
guided by the light of eternity, inspired with
the purest intentions, and assisted by the
helpful grace of God Almighty.

CHAPTER III

MOTHER AND SISTER AS HOUSEKEEPER

Disciple. Is it not better, O Lord, to
have mother or sister in the presbytery
rather than a stranger ?

Master. It is well, my son, to consider
this question attentively, so that you may
not only make a suitable choice, but one most
profitable.

It is quite in accordance with the inten-
tions of our holy Mother the Church that
priests should take a relation, especially a
pious mother or God-fearing sister, into
their house. She is chiefly guided by the
conviction, that thereby the safety of your
sacerdotal life is best guaranteed and that
you are guarded against many temptations
and dangers which you might incur if a
stranger were to look after you. You are
likewise protected from the allurements and
slanderous talk of this wicked world.

Who could have your truly priestly dig-
nity, your good reputation, and blameless-

69

70 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OP SOULS

ness in every respect more at heart than a
good mother or a virtuous sister $ Im-
pelled by genuine love, they guard your
path, your coming and your going. By day
and by night they surround you with loving
care, so that the tempter may not approach
you, neither openly nor covertly. This, my
son, is an immense gain !

The spirit that animates you, the good
that dwells in you, the frailty that clings to
you, whatever benefits or harms you — noth-
ing is hidden from them. How many an
unhappy priest would never have gone
astray if a good mother or a loving sister,
like a second guardian angel, had stood by
his side!

But there are still other advantages. If
mother or sister lives with you, the whole
atmosphere of the presbytery will lose a
good deal of its roughness, the natural con-
sequence of a lonely life. They will com-
pensate for the want of family life, as far
as this is possible in your circumstances, and
change a dreary presbytery into a charming
and congenial home. In their midst you
may move freely and without restraint, and
spend many a pleasant hour without fear

MOTHER AND SISTER 71

that this suspicious world may legitimately
take scandal.

On the other hand, if you have a stranger
in the house, your life will run on quite dif-
ferent lines. You will be obliged to keep a
constant check upon yourself lest you
should imperil your priestly dignity or give
scandal to the children of this world.

Mother and sister take the keenest inter-
est in your welfare, your cares, and joys.
Your happiness they make their own, and
writh your suffering they are equally con-
cerned. They read it in your eyes, when
silent sorrow afflicts your heart, and it is so
natural and easy to them to console and en-
courage you in the various troubles and
trials of your vocation. A mother's pru-
dent counsel will find easy access to your
heart; her sweet persuasion will save you
from many a hasty step, and her gentle en-
couragement will stimulate you to renewed
zeal and fervor. But with a stranger confi-
dences will usually betoken evil and breed
danger.

Finally, who could replace a mother or a
sister when you are struck down by serious
sickness ? As a priest you will feel it a two-

72 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

fold trial and burden if a stranger nurses
you, stays up with you, and assists you in
your utter helplessness.

Consider all this, my son, having before
your eyes no less your eternal than your
temporal welfare, and you will find that as
a rule you are best off when your pious
mother or good sister looks after your house-
hold. Then in truth may you be envied;
for God has bestowed on you a favor for
which you can never be sufficiently thankf uL

CHAPTER IV

THE PASTOR AND THE HOUSEKEEPER

Disciple. After I have listened to Thy
instruction, O Lord, concerning the choice
of a suitable housekeeper, there arises an-
other question, no less important and diffi-
cult, viz., how I am to deal with her in a
way best suited for my own welfare and
most pleasing to Thee.

Master. A good and well-justified re-
quest is this, my son; for "if a man know
not how to rule his own house, how shall he
take care of the church of God?" (1 Tim.
iii. 5) . Your course of action will vary ac-
cording as your housekeeper is your mother
or sister or a mere stranger.

Disciple. Master, it is well known to
Thee how limited my understanding is. In-
struct me, then, and teach me what to do,
and what not to do, according to Thy holy
will and the profit of my soul.

Master. Eemember, my son, that the eyes
of all are upon you; for "thou art a priest' '

74 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

(Ps. cix. 4). Therefore your dealings with
the housekeeper must be such as to be in
complete harmony with your exalted dig-
nity ; there must be nothing which would be
inconsistent with it, compromise it, or cast
a slur upon it. Moreover, it is God's holy
will that you be a model to your household
as well as to your congregation. Take great
care, then, that your housekeeper may de-
rive edification from all she sees and ob-
serves. "Let all things be done to edifica-
tion" (1 Cor. xiv. 26). It is your duty
to strive after sanctity in a higher degree
than laymen are bound to do ; for this rea-
son you are obliged to shape all your deal-
ings with people in such a way as not to be
a hindrance to their progress in virtue, but
a powerful aid and stimulus. Your whole
behavior must manifest that particular de-
gree of virtue which a priest is supposed
and expected to practise.

These general outlines are to be followed
in your dealings with a stranger as well as
with relatives.

Should it be necessary to entrust to a
stranger the charge of your housekeeping,
see that her salary is previously agreed upon
and punctually paid. If you should be in

PASTOR AND HOUSEKEEPER 75

difficulties, I advise you to make somebody
else rather than your housekeeper your
creditor. Priests who are careless in pay-
ing wages ought to remember that thereby
they allow themselves to be drawn into an
unbecoming condition of dependency. Their
hands will be tied as regards dismissal and
they will be obliged to hold their peace in
the face of many abuses and misdoings.

Further, let no one ever persuade you to
keep and invest the salary of your house-
keeper, paying her interest on the capital,
or in any other way to manage her money
affairs. You may, however, assist her with
good advice in this matter, if it seems ad-
vantageous. Likewise, I would most sin-
cerely caution you against providing for
her only in your will, in recompense for all
the services rendered to you. Apart from
the possibility that you may die intestate, or
that the legal value of your will may be
called in question, it makes a very unfa-
vorable impression upon the faithful if a
parish priest appoints his housekeeper chief
legatee.

My son, be always mindful of the dignity
of your vocation and never allow yourself
to go so far as to descend to the level of

76 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OP SOULS

your subordinates, to be on terms of famil-
iarity with them, to be — so to speak — one of
them. Watch how people of high rank in
the world know well how to be affable and
condescending, but how they, as soon as cer-
tain limits have been touched, guard them-
selves by means of noble reserve and becom-
ing gravity. Are you not, as a priest, a
person of noble rank, in comparison with
your inferiors?

Let a stranger always know that she is
your servant and subordinate ; otherwise the
temptation wall be great to assume to her-
self rights to which she is not entitled. It
is advisable, however, not to make her feel
her dependency and inferior position in ev-
erything; yet you must take pains that her
whole behavior toward you bears the stamp
of true subordination. Insist with firmness
on restricting her care to the conscientious
discharge of her duties and the steady prog-
ress of her soul. But in her own sphere
leave her as free a hand as possible.

In your dealings with her try to show
calm, unaffected kindness, combined with
benevolent consideration, always remember-
ing that her station is one full of trials and

PASTOR AND HOUSEKEEPER 77

sacrifices. See that nothing is wanting with
regard to board and lodging. Never be
harsh, angry, loud, ill-tempered, petty, or
mean. Overlook small faults, and whenever
occasion offers do not stint judicious praise.
If there is reason for complaint, always ex-
amine first whether or not there has been a
fault on your part as well, and then only
act, without being overhasty and according
to the maxims of virtue and Christian pru-
dence.

Be not over-familiar or talkative, but re-
served and discreet. Guard against the
least manifestation of softness or tender-
ness, which has its root in sensuality. This
would not only destroy the high esteem peo-
ple ought to have of you, but might easily
be the presage of a fatal end. Let it sink
deep into your mind, my son, that you are no
more safe from the evil promptings of sen-
suality than other mortals, and as a priest
you are obliged to keep an even stricter
guard over yourself, because with you much
more is at stake. You must realize and
bring home to yourself, that neither the sil-
very locks of venerable age nor the increas-
ing weight of bodily infirmities will make

78 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

you proof against the arrows of sensuality.
Were not great saints, yea even the Apostle
of the Gentiles, St. Paul, tormented by the
sting of the flesh?

For this reason exercise a discreet reserve ;
most carefully avoid assisting your house-
keeper in female handiwork or in other
household work; never show yourself in
want of those hundred trifling services
which only serve to gratify your self-indul-
gence. Be cautious, lest your speech savor
of sensuality. "He that hath no guard on
his speech shall meet with evils" (Prov. xiii.
3). Enter into a firm alliance with your
eyes ; for the face of a woman may lead you
astray. Fence in your ears with thorns,
lest death find an entrance there and bring
you to ruin. When a priest has once fallen,
then " abyss calleth to abyss."

Furthermore, guard against everything
which might give rise to evil suspicion
among the faithful and might lead them
to conclude that you were too familiar and
had a too intimate relationship with your
housekeeper, "that he who is on the contrary
part may be afraid, having no evil to say of
us" (Titus ii, 8) . Make it a firm rule never
to enter the rooms allotted to her special

PASTOR AND HOUSEKEEPER 79

use ; and never to allow her to stay in your
own study. Know well, also, that a priest
may cause scandalous talk if he suffers his
housekeeper to do exactly what she likes in
the management of the house and in her
dealings with the parishioners; if he goes
out driving with her; if he permits her to
accompany him on journeys, and so forth.
Take notice, also, of the fact that many a
priest has become the object of evil talk,
because his housekeeper frequently received
her lady friends in the presbytery.

Do not speak with her about parochial af-
fairs and consider it not in keeping with
your dignity to ask her advice in these mat-
ters. Never listen to talebearing on her
part; for thereby only discord and enmity
are roused in the congregation; to prevent
this efficaciously, do not allow her to pay
or receive frequent visits.

Have it understood that your servants do
not associate indiscriminately with others,
especially in your absence, and, generally
speaking, interdict any acquaintance which
might be dangerous or give rise to suspicion.

See that their dress and whole carriage be
simple and modest, neither ostentatious nor
arrogant, lest your hearers upbraid in the

80 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

people of your own house what you con-
demn from the pulpit.

"With regard to the spiritual welfare of
your housekeeper, do your best to make it
possible for her to go to confession to a
conscientious neighboring priest. I earn-
estly dissuade you from taking her spirit-
ual guidance into your own hands ; for you
will always find it difficult to be entirely
frank and candid ; yea, there is even a possi-
bility of the seal being broken and of sacri-
legious confessions being made. Moreover,
you should beware of anything which might
lead to over-familiarity and too close an in-
timacy, prejudicial to your own spirit-
ual life.

That is what I most sincerely recommend
to you, my son, in this matter. If you were
a saint, oh, how well would you know in
what manner to arrange your whole way of
acting! With what reverence and esteem
would men look up to you!

Disciple. Thou showest Thyself so kind
and patient, O Lord, in teaching me. Oh,
that these instructions might effect a thor-
ough reformation of my interior as well as
my exterior! Only one thing, O Master,
explain to me and I am satisfied. Am I to

PASTOR AND HOUSEKEEPER 81

keep within the same narrow bounds with
my mother and sister as with a stranger,
and must I insist that they also care for
nothing beyond the faithful management of
my house ?

Master. The principles which ought to
guide your dealings with your housekeeper
apply, as far as they are derived from your
dignity as a priest, to each and every per-
son ; therefore also to your mother and sis-
ter. But, on the other hand, it is equally
clear that a different relationship requires
a different behavior on your part. In the
family circle, you must always behave like
a good son toward your mother and like a
loving brother toward your sister. As a
son you can not and you will never demand
that your mother consider herself subordi-
nate to you ; yet on the other hand, she must
look up to you and treat you as a priest of
the Most High and be subject to you in all
that concerns your office as a priest and pas-
tor of souls. There may, however, be good
reasons, and under certain circumstances it
may be very profitable, to lend a benevolent
ear to timely counsel in affairs which are in
the mouths of all. Your own judgment and
your knowledge of your relations' education

82 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

and prudence will tell you how far you can
rely on them. Weigh the reasons which
they adduce and then make your resolutions
according to your own insight into the mat-
ter. But in things appertaining to your
priestly office deem it not in keeping with
your dignity to be governed and ruled by
your mother and sister.

To conclude, take the following words to
heart ! If you have taken your parents into
your house, keep in mind that you have done
so out of your own free choice. But, then,
bear the weaknesses of their age and charac-
ter with patience, meekness, and generosity.
God has willed that their imperfections
be the occasion for you to practise self-
denial and thus attain to high perfection.
Keep in loving remembrance all the sacri-
fices which your parents have made on your
behalf, and the patience with which they
have borne the manifold weaknesses of your
youth and perhaps the still greater short-
comings of your present life. Fear the ter-
rible judgments of God, and be never car-
ried away by a fit of passion, so as to be hard
or harsh on your old parents and to make
the evening of their life a burden to them.
"Be thou ashamed, O Sid on, speaketh the

PASTOR AND HOUSEKEEPER 83

sea" (Is. xxiii. 4). Yes, blush with shame,
priest of God the Most High, if you treat
your parents coldly and gruffly and then
preach to the faithful, " Honor thy father
and thy mother . . . that it may be well
with thee and thou mayest be long-lived
upon earth" (Eph. vi. 2, 3).

CHAPTER V

THE CURATES AND THE HOUSEKEEPER

Disciple. I understand full well, O
Master, what Thou hast said about the pas-
tor's dealings with the housekeeper holds
good also to a large extent with regard to
curates, because they are priests as well.
Only one doubt graciously deign to solve.
How am I to act as curate, if the servants
of the house give me reason to complain?
Some of them are of a haughty character,
heedless and inconsiderate; others seek their
own will in everything ; others again are im-
pertinent, make unbecoming remarks, and
the like.

Master. My son ! Even if there be many
such complaints and they be well founded,
take my counsel and earnestly strive to live
in peace with all the inmates of the house.
This, however, you will not achieve unless
you are ready to overlook many things and
even make great sacrifices. First of all, re-
member that those with whom you live may

84

CURATES AND HOUSEKEEPER 85

at times have good reasons to find fault with
you also. "For in many things we all of-
fend" {James iii. 2). Therefore you will
do well to weigh St. Paul's words in your
heart in dealing with your fellow-men:
"Bear ye one another's burden, and so you
shall fulfil the law of Christ" {Gal. vi. 2).

Now if you think that your complaints
are well-grounded, first examine your own
conscience as to whether unkind treatment,
too little consideration, or excessive demands
on your part are perhaps the cause of the
trouble. Ask yourself whether you have
maintained that degree of reserve which be-
comes a priest, or whether you have given
way even to seeming levity in presence of
your inferiors, or whether you have indulged
in long, useless talks without carefully
weighing your words. Many a priest has
suffered great loss of esteem and reverence
by this ill-understood condescension to those
around him.

Consider all this very carefully. If you
then think it necessary to reprimand the of-
fender, first try gentleness. Let your words
be land and well-considered ; take a strictly
objective view of the matter, and endeavor
to give utterance to it without a sign of irri-

86 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

tation. It would be a grave mistake on
your part to act at the first rising of anger ;
you might easily overlook an important cir-
cumstance and so wrong a person most
grievously. Never allow your temper to
carry you so far as to make you use injuri-
ous and spiteful expressions. For such,
when uttered by a priest, cause redoubled
pain and are felt all the more keenly. Apa-
thy, bitterness of heart, enmity, loss of es-
teem and reverence are but the natural con-
sequences of this conduct.

If kind words have been to no purpose,
you had best refer the matter to the pastor,
yet with the strictest adherence to truth and
justice ; if necessary, you may without scru-
ple repeat your request that a stop be put
to these grievances.

But bear in mind that sometimes circum-
stances may be of such a nature, that all
your efforts are of little or no avail. The
servants may be lacking in education or in
the skill necessary for household manage-
ment ; they may have certain besetting faults
or other peculiarities most annoying and un-
pleasant to you. Even your pastor may
possibly not possess the necessary amount of
common-sense to appreciate your grievance,

CURATES AND HOUSEKEEPER 87

especially if relations of his are in ques-
tion. Then there remains nothing to be
done but to resign yourself to the existing
state of things and to bear it with humility
and patience. If, however, the situation
should prove more trying than you can stand
you are free to put the whole matter before
your bishop.

Make it a point to show special deference
and consideration toward the old parents of
your pastor. Do not weigh their words too
minutely, and accustom yourself to overlook
their ordinary shortcomings. " Eise up be-
fore the hoary head and honor the person of
the aged man" (Lev. xix. 32).

My son! Thus act Christ's true follow-
ers, with great patience and meekness, with-
out passion and spite. Their dealings with
others, even their way of giving utterance
to complaints, will betoken their perfection
and virtue. For our way of acting out-
wardly corresponds to the degree of sanc-
tity which is within us.

CHAPTER VI

THE PASTOR AND THE CURATES

My son! The grace of the Holy Ghost
be with you, that you may seek nothing but
to know and fulfil God's holy will; for, in
this, and in this alone, consists true perfec-
tion.

If there are assistant priests with you,
pray fervently to the Lord to send His light
from on high, which will illuminate your
understanding more brightly than all hu-
man wisdom and knowledge could do. May
He give you insight and strength to regu-
late your dealings in this respect according
to the principles of virtue and Christian
prudence especially. This I recommend to
you all the more, as a wrong way of acting
may greatly hinder your progress in virtue,
seriously disturb the peaceful harmony of
the presbytery, and easily give scandal
to the faithful; for they naturally look up
to the presbytery as to a model and pattern
for their own home.

88

THE PASTOR AND THE CURATES 89

Listen, then, attentively to the instruc-
tions I am going to give you concerning
your dealings with your curates, and faith-
fully keep my words in your heart.

Not all men are of the same nature and
disposition, but one has this character, an-
other that; and in dealing with different
people, if you wish to live in peace with
them, you must make allowance accordingly.
Therefore deem it a matter of great pru-
dence and a thing worth striving after to
treat every man according to his individual
disposition and character. Believe me, that
by so doing you will be spared many vexa-
tions and annoyances, and quietly avoid
numberless difficulties. Follow this advice
especially in your dealings with your cu-
rates, and constantly aim at the following
two points, viz., to preserve your authority
as superior and to treat your curates as
brethren; for, so it is becoming in the Lord.
As parish priest you are their superior
and in what relates to the presbytery and
parish affairs you enjoy chartered rights
which your curates are bound to acknowl-
edge and consider sacred. To renounce any
of them without good reasons would not be
virtue, but weakness.

90 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

On the other hand, remember that your
curates possess the same incomparable
priestly dignity as you and that they are
your brethren also. It is, therefore, the
will of God Almighty that you treat them
with a brother's sincere love, that you bear
with them in that spirit of supernatural
charity which Jesus displayed to His dis-
ciples, and that you exercise your authority
as superior with that gentleness which is
unknown to those who wield worldly power.

Disciple. I acknowledge the truth of Thy
teaching, O Lord, and the great value of Thy
admonitions. I desire now to learn from
Thy mouth how I may best preserve my au-
thority as superior and at the same time ex-
hibit a brother's love toward my assistant
priests, so that my whole conduct may be
pleasing to Thee, O Lord !

Master. My son! You will preserve
your authority best in the following way:
Show by your whole life that you are a true
follower of Jesus Christ ; be a model to your
curates in word and action and every kind
of virtue ; treat them with becoming esteem
and reverence; practise complete self-con-
trol in conversing with them; be a perfect
gentleman in all those details that go to

THE PASTOR AND THE CURATES 91

make up good manners ; at all times observe
a kind of noble reserve, for this becomes a
superior.

Brotherly love must first of all show itself
in the genuine esteem and honor which you
owe your curates as priests of the Most
High. From your whole bearing it must be
manifest that you possess a great soul, filled
with burning love of God and disinterested
zeal for your brethren's true welfare; zeal
that is for their progress in virtue and in
their further training in the cure of souls.
May the love of God impel you to meet their
every wish with kindliness, with loving
consideration, and wTith a ready heart. Help
them like a good father with friendly advice
and prompt assistance, for thus speaketh the
Lord: "These things I command you, that
you love one another" (John xv. 17).

If you act with a brother's love, the con-
fidence of the younger priests will never be
wanting, that confidence wThich is of such im-
mense importance in introducing them more
and more into the cure of souls, in discreetly
moderating their youthful impetuosity, in
preserving them in their first fervor and
making them valiant coadjutors in the king-
dom of Christ. It is also but meet and just

92 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

that you take council with your curates in
matters appertaining to the cure of souls,
though with prudence and discretion. In
course of time let them gain a proper insight
into the whole management of a parish, put-
ting aside that kind of reserve and uncom-
municativeness which is often taken for dis-
trust, and which, too, in its turn is the cause
of distrust, reserve, and uncommunicative-
ness on their part. See that the pastoral
work is distributed fairly and make allow-
ance for special circumstances. Make it a
rule not to burden others with your own
duties, unless you can not help it, and always
acknowledge extraordinary services with
due gratitude.

Be lenient toward small shortcomings and
weaknesses and do not expect from youth
the maturity of old age. Youth thinks and
acts in a way befitting youth. Do not forget
that you thought and acted in the same way
when you were young. Should you be
obliged to reprimand, let it be done with
tender consideration and loving meekness,
at the proper time and in the proper place.
If complaints come from outside, make it a
principle to defend or at least excuse your

THE PASTOR AND THE CURATES 93

assistant priests as far as you are able to
do so.

Let your curates see that your whole way
of thinking is far above any spirit of petti-
ness and narrow-mindedness. Respect and
acknowledge, even to the smallest detail, the
claims and rights which they justly possess,
just as you insist on yours being respected
and acknowledged. Take notice of the fact,
also, that the good relations between pastor
and curates have already become somewhat
strained as soon as they feel obliged to assert
and define their respective rights and priv-
ileges.

With regard to board and lodging see that
your curates want for nothing that is cus-
tomary in well-ordered presbyteries, and
try to meet any reasonable wish and desire
with the greatest liberality, without showing
any sign of a niggardly spirit.

Never force yourself upon any one in his
leisure time, but as far as depends on you
have consideration for the special likings of
every one.

My son! "Let the charity of the brother-
hood abide in you" (Heb. xiii. 1). Prac-
tise it in the way I have shown you. It will

94 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

entirely win over the heart of your brother,
and instead of weakening your authority as
superior, it will ground it deeper in love.
On the other hand, frequently reflect that
your authority will suffer greatly if you
give way to whims and fancies in dealing
with your brother priests and make light of
the social refinements that reveal the man
of tact. How can you be astonished if youth
forgets itself and oversteps the proper lim-
its, after you yourself have transgressed
them? Truly such behavior would not be-
token genuine brotherly love, but rather
point to a neglect in the previous cultivation
of your social qualities.

CHAPTER VII

THE CURATES AND THE PASTOR

My son! Constantly keep before your
eyes that God wishes your dealings with
your superiors to be a model and source of
edification to all your subjects, for in every-
thing you are placed as an example before
your congregation.

Now, if it becomes the pastor to take into
account the different characters and quali-
ties of his assistant priests and to treat them
accordingly, with how much more reason
will the latter have to accommodate them-
selves to the character and to the possible
shortcomings of the pastor? For not only
as superior, but also on account of his more
advanced age, he has a claim to it.

If you wish to regulate your relations to
your superior according to God's will, you
must never forget to consider yourself his
subject and act as such. But do not imagine
that thereby you perform a work of extraor-
dinary virtue or of supererogation ; it is but

05

96 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

your duty and a demand of strict justice.
Let, then, your whole way of acting bear
testimony to the esteem and honor you
cherish for your superior. Be obedient in
everything and conscientiously respect his
position and rights at home and in parish
affairs. Above all, avoid introducing
changes and innovations in the church,
school, or congregation without his consent.
That is the pastor's business and lies outside
your province. Besides, it requires a thor-
ough, well-balanced insight into all the con-
ditions of the parish, and a prudent, well-
considered procedure ; otherwise more harm
than good will result. If you deem it neces-
sary to call attention to certain abuses and
evils in the management of the parish or the
cure of souls, do it only after mature con-
sideration, and then with all deference and
at the proper season.

In presence of other priests, and espe-
cially before the eyes of the public, make it
your duty to give your pastor the first place,
so that it may be manifest to all that you
see and reverence in him the superior whom
God has placed over you.

At all times speak with great regard and
esteem of your superiors, and make the firm

THE CURATES AND THE PASTOR 97

resolution, once for all, never to mention
their faults or weaknesses, if there are any,
without very good reasons. If this is neg-
lected, reverence and fraternal love are sure
to be violated, their authority will be weak-
ened, and your good relations with them
easily disturbed. Think of the grosser
faults and weaknesses of your own past and
present life, and you will find grounds
enough to pass over in silence the short-
comings of your spiritual brethren and your
superiors. Let it be rather a loving task
of yours to shield and defend your pastor,
as far as possible, or — to say the least — pru-
dently to change the topic of conversation,
whenever this painful subject has been
touched upon.

Eeceive your instructions from your su-
perior with a willing heart, To him, as the
more experienced, it naturally falls to intro-
duce you into the practical side of a pastor's
life and to teach you how to manage a parish
on an independent footing. Let me con-
vince you that you can derive great profit
from the experience of the parish priest.
He has gone for years through that instruc-
tive school of life, which nothing, not even
the profoundest learning, can replace. Or

98 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

who has a clearer insight into the difficulties
and dangers a priest has to face in the cure
of souls — the experienced old man or the
fresh new curate? Ponder earnestly in
your heart over all the good instructions and
counsels which are given to you with such
well-meant intentions for your own welfare
and the good of the souls which are entrust-
ed to you. Oh, do not persuade yourself that
you do not stand in need of advice! You
ought to feel greatly thankful if your supe-
rior raises his voice in admonition and
warning and always with a father's love and
care.

With regard to the share of the work
which will be allotted to you, do not draw
the line too finely, even if you think that
more is laid on your shoulders than is your
strict due. A young, energetic man knows
how to master a great task. If, unfortu-
nately, the condition of the parish should
clearly point to neglect and carelessness on
the part of the pastor, it would be a grave
mistake if you were to grow sullen and
abandon the execution of your former noble
resolutions. Rather may the love of souls
inflame your zeal and quicken your fervor,
to set to work with all the energy at your

THE CURATES AND THE PASTOR 99

disposal and to toil even more than you
would do under well-ordered circumstances.

Never disregard the well-grounded wishes
of your superior concerning the visiting of
families and the attending of social gather-
ings. Always mindful of your youth and
inexperience, be from the outset rather in-
clined to distrust your own judgment than
that of your superior. If there is a good
reason why you should not follow certain
advice, let it be done with wise discretion
and without hurting any one's feelings. In
indifferent things it is an admirable thing
to prefer the superior's will to one's own.

In all your dealings with your pastor be
polite, affable, obliging, considerate, and of
a generous and self-sacrificing spirit. Try
to do him a kindness whenever opportunity
offers itself. Be always ready to sacrifice
an hour or so of your free time, if you can
do him a favor this way. On the other hand,
be on your guard against obtruding yourself
unseasonably and take your leave as soon
as you notice that you are causing some in-
convenience.

Do not contradict on small provocation,
especially not in presence of laymen! If,
however, it seems necessary, let it be done

100 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

modestly and with discrimination. But,
then, never forget that you address yourself
to your superior.

Guard against the spirit of criticism and
never adopt the appearance of playing the
part of teacher. This does not become a
young man and has seldom done any good.

If the pastor expresses disapproval or
gives you a slight rebuke, do not show that
you are irritated or offended, especially
when you are in the wrong. Talk the matter
over with him quietly and objectively, un-
less you prefer to remain absolutely silent
on the point.

Finally, cultivate simple tastes and be
easily satisfied with the various arrange-
ments of the presbytery. Take into account
the different circumstances and do not ex-
pect to find the same comforts wherever you
go.

My son! In this way always esteem,
honor, and love your pastor with a sincere
affection as your brother and superior in
Christ. Let peace go before all. Be ready
to make even great sacrifices for the sake
of peace ; for how can priests preach about
peace if they do not live in peace among
themselves? How can they do good work

THE CURATES AND THE PASTOR 101

in the vineyard of the Lord, if they con-
stantly find fault with one another?

Divine grace will amply reward you and
send superabundant blessings on your work
in the cure of souls, if you follow my words.
Moreover, you may rest assured that in this
way you will gain your superior's confi-
dence, and in humility and meekness you
will possess peace of heart. "By this shall
all men know that you are my disciples, if
you have love one for another" {John xiii.
35). "But we entreat you, brethren, that
you abound more" (1 Thess. iv. 10).

CHAPTER VIII

CURATES AND NEIGHBORING PRIESTS

My son ! It is a precept given by Christ,
that all priests of Holy Church should em-
brace one another with sincere benevolence,
holy reverence, and sacred brotherly love,
and that not only in words but in deeds also.
For by receiving the holy priesthood they
have become second Christs and brothers in
a higher sense than ordinary Christians.
They work for the same glorious end, the
welfare of the Church and the salvation of
immortal souls; they are the leaders and
champions of the Church militant, which is
surrounded by countless enemies, persecut-
ed, and bitterly hated.

How necessary is it, then, that they should
stand united, assisting one another, hold-
ing out a helping hand to a brother in dis-
tress, and furthering each other's noble en-
deavors to the utmost of their power! How
necessary is it, then, in the fight against the
common foe, that they should be more closely

102

CURATES AND NEIGHBORING PRIESTS 103

united and more resolute in their war-
fare than leaders of worldly armies! For
the noble and eternal issues with which a
priest has to deal infinitely surpass the high-
est temporal ideals.

Now, if the spirit of concord, common in-
terests, and true, genuine brotherly love
ought to link together all the priests of the
earth, how much more will Christ, Our
Lord, require the same bond among priests
who work in the same parish or in neighbor-
ing parishes !

This, my son, is the spirit which ought to
unite you to your brethren; and if your
heart is not penetrated with it, know that
you are no priest after the heart of your
Lord.

With regard to your dealings with other
curates of the same parish take a lesson
from the disciples of Jesus, who lived as
brothers. Neither play the hermit nor
withdraw entirely from their company ; for
a stone which is to be inserted into the build-
ing must be cut out and chiseled, and the
diamond which is to adorn the crown must
first be fashioned and polished. "Woe to
him that is alone; for when he falleth, he
hath none to lift him up" (Eccles. iv. 10).

104 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

Moreover, solitary habits easily offend
against charity. Only then are you a true
follower of Christ, if you bear any annoy-
ance occasioned by your brethren with pa-
tience and meekness, always mindful that
you yourself may be a burden to others.

At all times treat your brethren with due
respect, according to their dignity. In re-
turn they can not but treat you respectfully,
and your relations will bear the stamp of
propriety and well-ordered charity.

Be candid, true, and without guile; be
meek, obliging, and always ready to do a
favor. Try to lighten your brother's bur-
den, never add to its weight. Be a good
counsellor in difficulties, a ready helper in
need, and full of sympathy in the hour of
sorrow.

Be as anxious about their honor and repu-
tation as you are about your own, and let
sincere affection move you, when an oppor-
tunity presents itself, to call attention to
faults and little indiscretions wrhich may be
offensive to others.

Be glad and rejoice if the gifts and vir-
tues of your brethren are praised, and gen-
erously acknowledge their superior attain-

CURATES AND NEIGHBORING PRIESTS 105

ments, in your own heart and before others.
Do not give way to captious jealousy if
others are considered more skilful and more
talented than you, if they are entrusted with
the more difficult and more honorable part
of the work. As a priest, be above human
praise and vainglory, and strive solely after
God's glory and the salvation of souls,
whether this be accomplished by you or by
others. If in truth and reality, that is to
say, in the light of eternity, you desire to be
first, then "be the last of all and the servant
of all" (Mark ix. 34). Take this word to
heart, my son, and ponder over it again and
again.

If, however, you are more liberally en-
dowed with gifts of nature and grace than
your brethren, consider the following word
of Holy Writ: "The greater thou art, the
more humble thyself in all things and thou
shalt find grace before God" (Ecclus. iii.
20).

With regard to your work in the cure of
souls, let it be your earnest endeavor to do
your duty most faithfully and to be ready
to assist your brother priest, whenever there
is an occasion. Beware, however, of inter-

106 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

fering with another man's work unneces-
sarily; for this endangers the common
peace.

Just as curates of the same parish have
certain relations to one another, so in pro-
portion have those of neighboring parishes.

It is well known to you that for many
parish priests the neighboring priests are
the only people with whom they can enter-
tain suitable social intercourse. Some need
the advice of a brother priest in difficulties
and matters of importance. Others are so
isolated that they depend on one another for
the sacrament of Penance; and, besides, in
the absence of your neighbor, it may become
your duty to administer the last sacraments
or visit the sick in his parish.

These and other reasons may induce you
to live in peace and concord with neighbor-
ing priests and keep up a becoming friendly
intercourse, and this all the more if your
neighbor largely depends on you or stands
in need of your assistance.

In true humility esteem your brethren
higher than yourself and make the resolu-
tion to be in a special way attentive and kind
towards older priests.

Show by word and deed that you desire

CURATES AND NEIGHBORING PRIESTS 107

every one's good, and you will win for your-
self the character of a simple-hearted and
sincere pastor of souls. Keep secret what
others confide to you and you will possess
the confidence of many. Be always ready
to help others in fulfilling their pastoral
duties, and do not expect favors from others
if you yourself are niggardly. Without
good reason do not push your claims on the
services of others, and make it a point to
acknowledge the smallest favor done to you.
According to God's holy will, priests of the
same or of the neighboring parishes ought
to vie with one another in the most conscien-
tious fulfilment of their priestly and pas-
toral duties, and be models of virtue and
sanctity to one another. A brother is his
brother's shield, protecting him by his coun-
sel and advice and ready to help in the perils
of this earthly warfare, so that neither his
enemies of this world nor those of the next
may triumph over him. Unity and mutual
support among the clergy will be a source
of edification to the faithful and contribute
powerfully to the realization of the ideal of
a priest's social and pastoral life, while the
rupture of these relations is a terrible ca-
lamity among brethren.

108 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

Do as I have told you, my son, and my
blessing will be upon you and your brethren.

Disciple. May God give me His grace
and enlighten and strengthen me to live up
to the instructions I have received. But
Thou, Master, deign to instruct me further,
and teach me how I may be more like Thee
in all my dealings with my fellow priests.

CHAPTER IX

INTERCOURSE WITH FELLOW PRIESTS

Be of good cheer, My son, listen to My
word with a willing heart and the Lord will
be with you !

When visiting priests faithfully observe
the dictates of good breeding and politeness.
Distribute your visits so as not to neglect
any one ; do not act on impulse, but accord-
ing as necessity and propriety should re-
quire. As to the frequency and length of
your visits, take into account the special cir-
cumstances and the wishes of those con-
cerned.

Remember, also, that it is a law of practi-
cal prudence to maintain a certain reserve
at the beginning of a new acquaintance.
Let not the novelty of the situation mislead
you to exceed due limits in this respect.
Many have begun with rather frequent
visits, have soon grown tired of them, and
in the end have given them up completely,
to the great annoyance of the other party.

109

110 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

Choose a suitable time for your visits ; be
most exacting and punctual if any appoint-
ment has been made, and only for special
reasons exceed the time which you have de-
termined upon, as a rule, beforehand. Be
careful not to cause inconvenience, and
leave as soon as you find your presence be-
coming tiresome to your fellow priest.

Let your whole behavior be staid and dig-
nified. Do not behave in too free a manner
and keep a check upon yourself in word and
deed.

A strong love for your Master would in-
duce you, before you pay your visit to your
fellow priest, to visit Him in His dwelling-
place and pay your homage to Him, who
should hold the first place among all friends.

Whenever fellow priests come to see you,
receive them with kindness and cordiality
and willingly make the sacrifice of your
time. If their coming involves a little in-
convenience, do not let them know it, un-
less, of course, your pastoral duties require
it. On the other hand, no friend of yours
can expect you to waste several afternoons
in the week in idle gossip; such an ill-
advised practice must be prudently but
firmly put a stop to at the very outset.

FELLOW PRIESTS 111

Show yourself hospitable and give freely
of what you possess, always, however, with-
in reasonable limits and according to your
means. To be stingy and miserly would be
by far the greater evil. With regard to
yourself, remember that it is a sign of tact
and good breeding to observe moderation in
asking hospitality of others.

As to the kind of conversation indulged
in, take into consideration the wishes of
your brethren as far as possible. He would
be very wanting in humility who should al-
ways insist on having his own way. I most
earnestly recommend to you not to play
games too much or for too high stakes ; for
excess leads to excitement; those who lose
become impatient, and altogether there is
danger that angry words, if not something
worse, may follow.

When speaking with others avoid what-
ever is vulgar, frivolous, or unbecoming.
Your conversation ought not only to be
pleasing to others but also edifying and in-
structive. Keep in mind that in your
speech the spirit which guides your inner-
most soul will become manifest; for "out
of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh" (Luke vi. 45).

112 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

Let principles of truth and justice, pru-
dence and charity guide you in your judg-
ments. In presence of elderly and more ex-
perienced priests give your opinion with due
deference and reserve. Nothing is felt
more keenly by them than the behavior of
young priests, who only too readily express
their unripe opinions on any matter, rashly
give their judgment on any subject, and try
to act the schoolmaster to the old. On the
other hand, if you have grown gray in the
service of the Lord, or if you hold a more
prominent position in the diocese, regard it
as due to the dignity of your office or age to
consider younger priests or those in inferior
positions as your brethren. Do not treat
them with that patronizing condescension,
which is highly offensive, causes bad feel-
ing, and to be quite plain, is often nothing
but a bad disguise for secret pride. Cer-
tainly such behavior does not come from the
spirit of Christ. Yet there are some who
fail in this respect.

Guard against that bad habit of contra-
dicting everything which is said and sup-
press satirical and sarcastic remarks as far
as possible, as they are easily misunderstood
and may do great harm. Make it a rule

FELLOW PRIESTS 113

never to say anything that may give pain to
your brother ; if it should be necessary, do it
after giving the matter careful considera-
tion.

When contradicted, never show resent-
ment; for truth gains when supported by
humility and meekness, while if it is insisted
upon with anger it loses much of its persua-
sive power.

As to confession, keep your lips sealed
with the most sacred silence; of God and
holy things always speak with esteem and
reverence.

Do not drag into conversation the faults
of others ; if you have to speak of them, in-
cline rather to leniency than strictness.
Apart from humility, even Christian pru-
dence should prevent you from judging
rashly the work of your fellow priests. As
a rule, nothing will be gained by it ; but your
remarks are liable to be reported, and great
inconveniences may arise therefrom.

Above all, avoid disrespect in speaking of
your spiritual superiors; for they hold
God's place on earth. At least endeavor to
change the conversation to another subject,
when unfavorable mention is being made of
them. In giving praise be judicious and

114 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

avoid exaggeration; do not seek the praise
of others.

Be not intimate with many and do not
open your heart to everybody, but put your-
self into the hands of a wise and holy man
whom you know to observe the fear of God
(Ecclus. xxxviii. 15) . This, however, should
not keep you from speaking on spiritual
matters with other priests who are fond of
this kind of relaxation and derive from it
spiritual profit. But do not make an out-
ward show of your zeal and piety, and care-
fully avoid anything eccentric or peculiar in
your practice of virtue ; otherwise virtue is
brought into ridicule. Observe, however,
that all men feel a great esteem and attrac-
tion for virtue which hides itself.

Consider it a gain and the highest gain
imaginable, that you should be able to do
some good to your brother priests or to those
of their flock.

CHAPTER X

DISCORD AMONG PRIESTS

My son! I can not but raise my voice
once more, so that it may re-echo in your
heart and that you may never forget it. It
is the voice of your Lord and Saviour:
"Supporting one another in charity, be
careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the
bond of peace" (Eph. iv. 2, 3).

Listen to the words which on the eve of
the passion broke forth from His heart,
burning with love: "Holy Father, keep
them in Thy name, whom Thou hast given
Me: that they may be one as we also are"
(John xvii. 11) .

This appeal, made for you, your fellow-
brethren, and the faithful of all times passed
through the heavens up to the throne of
your Father, "that they all may be one, as
Thou, Father in Me and I in Thee ; that they
also may be one in Us" (John xvii. 21).

Now try to fathom the depth of His sor-
row when in that solemn hour His all-seeing

115

116 KULES FOR PASTOR OF SOULS

eye glanced down through the centuries and
He foresaw that even with priests, His
chosen friends, the fruit of this fervent
prayer would be lost; when He perceived
that precisely through discord and enmity
among priests, infidelity, heresy, and all the
powers hostile to His kingdom, would gain
such enormous strength; when He realized
the immense damage done by discord among
priests to the fair name of His spouse, the
Church, and to the divine work of saving
souls.

Eemember that discord among priests is
chiefly the devil's doing, because he is filled
with the bitterest hatred against priests;
for he knows full well that it is priests who
show mankind, for which he cherishes such
hatred, the way to heaven; he knows it is
priests who intervene in man's behalf and
gain for him the most precious graces. He
knows that priests themselves are destined
to that eternal, unspeakable bliss, which he
has forever forfeited. Therefore he has
risen against them in the fury of his wrath
and burns with an insatiable thirst for their
destruction. But there is nothing which
gives that serpent of hell more malicious de-
light than to be able to sow discord, hatred,

DISCORD AMONG PRIESTS 117

and enmity among priests; for that is the
poisonous seed from which spring unutter-
able calamities for the pastors themselves
and for the eternal welfare of their flocks.

There have been priests who for years to-
gether had bravely withstood his malicious
attacks ; but, alas, one day the ever- watchful
enemy succeeded in hurling them headlong
down from the heights of their dearly won
virtue ; he succeeded in breaking the bond of
peace that held them united to their fellow
priests or superiors. Now he threw open
their hearts to those manifold passions,
against which they had hitherto fought so
manfully.

You, my son, be on your guard against
that terrible fiend, Satan, who is always on
the watch to create ill-feeling between you
and your brethren. He will endeavor to
make use of you — though at the time you
may not be aware of it — as a tool, in carry-
ing out his diabolical designs. Your own
nature, so prone to sin, and the passions of
your heart, are his most powerful allies. In
addition, external circumstances, difference
of character, clashing of interests owing to
diversity of position or privilege — all these
may easily cause misunderstandings.

118 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

Again, differences of education, maturity of
judgment or age, naturally tend to create
a different view of life. Finally, dwelling
together implies so much intercourse be-
tween the pastor and his curates, as easily
to give rise to differences of opinion, ill-
humor, coldness, and tension, not to men-
tion things worse than these.

From this you will see what foolishness,
what harm, what sin those priests are guilty
of, who through their own fault are the
cause of disagreement, ill-feeling, and out-
breaks of passion. Ought they not, in the
face of the terrible consequences which en-
sue from such behavior, to do their utmost
to love one another in the Lord and to bear
with the defects and shortcomings of their
brethren? Certainly then only may they
count on God's all-powerful assistance and
have the assurance that their enemy, the
devil, will never secure the victory over
them.

Be convinced, my son, that it is concord
and unity of hearts alone, that give to
priests the strength of an invincible army.

My dearly beloved son! I have not left
you in ignorance of the longing with which
your Saviour yearns that you may live and

DISCORD AMONG PRIESTS 119

work in peace and love and unity with your
brethren. This I have put before you with
kindness and meekness, but now listen also
to words of severity addressed to those
priests who knowingly and willingly foster
hatred and enmity in their hearts. Let it
be known to them — so that they may be in-
excusable and unable to shelter themselves
under any false plea or pretext, and be
dumbfounded before the divine anger — let
it be known to them that nothing provokes
God's inexorable wrath more than hatred
and enmity among priests. For they have
been called precisely for the purpose of
preaching love and charity to the world and
of giving testimony to the True Light by
the flame of their own overflowing charity.

If the kind and gentle words of their Sav-
iour do not move them, may His terrible
wrath, at least, and the dread of His just
vengeance on the great day of reckoning
strike fear and horror into their hearts.

Such priests deserve to feel the full force
of His divine severity for this reason alone,
that, instead of being an example, they are
a stumbling-block to those committed to
their care. They tear from the hearts of
the faithful their deep-rooted esteem and

120 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

reverence for priest and sacraments. Many
children of Holy Church have become luke-
warm and indifferent, or have even lost their
faith, because they could not understand
how priests could daily approach the altar
to celebrate the most holy mysteries and at
the same time persecute one another with
the bitterest hatred and animosity, and that
for years together! Oh, the blindness and
hard-heartedness of such priests!

But the evil does not stop here. Only too
often other priests have been drawn into
these abominable quarrels, and parishes
have split up into parties, leading to fresh
enmities and bitter conflicts. How awful
and lamentable is this state of affairs, if pre-
cisely they are to blame for all these misfor-
tunes, who by their very profession should
severely denounce and condemn enmities
and make every effort to reconcile those who
are not united by the bonds of peace ! Also
to these priests those terrible words are ap-
plicable : "But he that shall scandalize one
of these little ones that believe in Me, it were
better for him that a mill-stone should be
hanged about his neck and, that he should
be drowned in the depth of the sea" {Matt,
xviii. 6).

DISCORD AMONG PRIESTS 121

As a punishment for the great scandal
which they give to " these little ones," they
are stricken with such blindness that they
daily provoke God to allow the sentence
of eternal reprobation to fall upon them;
for with their sinful lips they dare pray,
"and forgive us our trespasses, as we for-
give them that trespass against us." But
how can the divine Judge pardon irrecon-
cilable priests, since He has spoken that just
word : ' i But if you will not forgive, neither
will your Father that is in heaven forgive
you your sins" {Mark xi. 26), and "Heaven
and earth shall pass, but My words shall not
pass" {Matt. xxiv. 35) ?

My son! "Remember thy last things
and let enmity cease" {Ecclus. xxviii. 6).
Reconcile yourself before the day on which
the Lord shall come, as a thief in the night,
and ere an unmerciful judgment befall you
because you have not pardoned your brother
from your heart.

Disciple. Thy words, O Lord, are full
of severity and anger. "Fear and trembling
seize upon me, and all my bones are af-
frighted" {Job iv. 14) when I ponder over
the terrible condemnations which fall like
thunder and lightning from the lips of God

122 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

upon priests who live in enmity and hatred.
Fear and anxiety overwhelm me, because
of my infirmity and little understanding.
How shall I, a weak, miserable being, be able
to withstand the malicious attacks of Satan,
to whom the Lord has left such power and
understanding ! Be Thou, O Lord, my pro-
tector and my saviour, and place on my
head the helmet of salvation, that I may
bravely overcome the enemies of my soul.

Master, my heart is ready to fulfil Thy
law, and my will is made up to seek per-
fection in everything. Therefore teach me
what disturbs peace among priests, that I
may take the necessary precautions against
it ; teach me also what I am to do if I should
ever be so unfortunate as to offend one of
my brethren, and how I am to act if one of
my brethren injures or offends me.

CHAPTER XI

DISCORD AMONG PRIESTS

[Continued]

Master. From what I have said it will
be obvious that discord among priests is in
itself a terrible calamity; yet open and no-
torious enmity among priests of the same
place or presbytery is more terrible still.
Where such exists, the persons concerned
should strive for its removal with untiring
energy; for it is the source of frequent
scandals and other evil consequences.

The causes of discord may be manifold.
Parish priests easily disturb the peace
and concord of the presbytery, if they show
themselves unkind, cold, and unfriendly to-
ward their curates; if they bestow less care
and attention on their treatment and general
well-being than on that of the other inmates
of the house ; if they side with the latter in
everything; if they speak lightly of their
curates with neighboring priests or with
people in or out of the house; if they are

123

124 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OP SOULS

never satisfied, even with the best actions,
combined with the best intentions; if, in
fact, they find fault with everything ; if they
overburden others unduly and spare them-
selves most conscientiously; if in their jeal-
ousy and narrow-mindedness they check
every noble endeavor, place others always in
the background, and go so far as to lay down
for them stringent rules of conduct on
trivial matters, as if their curates were chil-
dren in the nursery.

If a priest thus treats his spiritual breth-
ren, must he not provoke them to dissatis-
faction, bitterness, disobedience and even*
worse f Truly heroic must be the virtue of
him, who, following Christ in His profound
humility, controls and humbles himself un-
der these circumstances and does not give
way to outbursts of passion !

On the other hand, curates may also dis-
turb the peaceful relations which ought to
obtain in the presbytery, by giving the par-
ish priest occasion of discontent and an-
noyance. They give genuine cause for com-
plaint by taking liberties with the people in
the presbytery or by indiscretion in dealing
with outsiders, by want of reverence or obe-
dience, by a certain haughtiness of manner

DISCORD AMONG PRIESTS 125

which repels the offer, much more the
acceptance, of advice and paternal instruc-
tion. Further obvious causes are encroach-
ment on their superiors' rights and priv-
ileges, absence of candor or straightfor-
wardness in their dealings, carelessness in
fulfilling their duties, unpunctuality at
home or in the church. Further, the pa-
tience of the parish priest may be sorely
tried, if curates cause unnecessary expense
and are unreasonable as to their food and
lodging, in their demands on the servants,
and in regard to the general management of
the presbytery.

Concerning the relations between parish
priests and holders of benefices, if there be
such in the parish, the former must keep in
mind that they fail greatly by looking down
upon the latter or treating them as mere cu-
rates. The parish priests have to acknowl-
edge and respect their established privileges
and independent position, not only partly
and where it is convenient, but to their full
extent. Ordinary priests are greatly mis-
taken, if they imagine that they have a right
to demand certain services from these bene-
ficed priests; they can only claim them on
the ground of charity.

126 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

Holders of benefices, on their part, are
greatly to be blamed, if they refuse due re-
spect to the parish priest, encroach on his
parochial rights, form indiscreet or harsh
judgments about his management of parish
affairs, side with the other party in dissen-
sions and quarrels, or refuse assistance
without reason where it is urgently needed.

My son ! Before I answer your two other
questions, the love of my heart impels me
to assure you that your readiness to act ac-
cording to perfection in everything is pleas-
ing in the sight of God. But now you must
prove also that you wTill not be wanting in
carrying out your resolution. Therefore
prepare your heart for greater sacrifices;
without these you can not follow my in-
structions.

You know how repugnant discord among
priests is to the love and sanctity of your
Saviour. Do, then, your utmost to live in
peace with them, to bear with their weak-
nesses, and never to give occasion for dis-
content. Prudence and an obliging disposi-
tion will help you much in this matter.

But now, if you should have had the mis-
fortune to wound or seriously offend your
brother, let the sun not set before you have

DISCORD AMONG PRIESTS 127

asked his pardon and tried to be reconciled
to him again. Otherwise there arises es-
trangement, and this begets coldness, aver-
sion, discord, and enmity, with a host of
other evil consequences, and your heart will
be open to the base suggestions of Satan.
I therefore admonish you the more earnest-
ly to this speedy reconciliation, as experi-
ence proves that estrangement and coldness
grow more intensely the longer the tension
lasts. Nay, I should go so far as to say
that any postponement renders complete rec-
onciliation much more difficult. More-
over, your soul will be disquieted by some
unrest, which will rob you of your internal
peace and that strengthening joy and fer-
vor with which you were wont to throw
yourself into the work of saving souls.
These anxieties can be avoided at once by
offering generous satisfaction to your
brother.

Remember this saying of Holy Writ :
"If therefore thou offer thy gift at the al-
tar, and there thou remember that thy
brother hath anything against thee, leave
there thy offering before the altar, and go
first to be reconciled to thv brother, and
then coming thou shalt offer thy gift"

128 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

(Matt. v. 23, 24) . Know, then, that no work
of yours can be pleasing in the sight of God,
as long as you remain unreconciled.

If you observe that your brother feels of-
fended or has something against you, the
reason of which is unknown to you, do not
omit to inquire of him whether you have
hurt him and ask his pardon, if necessary ;
otherwise a trifling misunderstanding may
be the cause of a long-standing dissension
between you.

On the other hand, if you have been hurt,
pray fervently to the Lord for strength to
overcome manfully the very first rising of
indignation and to forgive the offence heart-
ily. Thus you will " overcome evil by
good" (Rom. xii. 21). Do not bear your
brother a grudge in your heart, render not
evil for evil, as the pagans do, but recom-
pense evil with good, and " doing this, thou
shalt heap coals of fire upon his head"
(Rom. xii. 20). Pray for your brother,
that God may enlighten him, lovingly meet
him halfway, and show yourself ready to be
reconciled, if in any way he manifests by his
behavior that he is sorry for his fault.
"And if he sin against thee seven times in a
day and seven times in a day be converted

DISCORD AMONG PRIESTS 129

unto thee, saying : i I repent, ' forgive him' '
{Luke xvii. 4).

Thus act the elect of the Lord. They fol-
low the promptings of grace, not those of
nature. Keep in mind that the infinite God
Himself is at all times willing to admit even
His bitterest enemies to mercy and grace,
if they only sincerely repent of their sins.
Those who in their blindness refuse pardon
to their repentant brother and even go so
far as to demand greater satisfaction for
themselves than they offer to God's infinite
majesty for their own innumerable sins,
challenge His most severe justice and ven-
geance with unaccountable wantonness.

But if your brother does not choose to be
reconciled to you, although you have done
your utmost, the whole weight of the re-
sponsibility will fall on him. But even
then, out of your charity for souls, use every
means in your power, that no scandal be
given to the faithful. In the eyes of the
public be obliging to your obdurate brother,
just as if your friendship remained per-
fectly unimpaired. This is in truth a royal
victory over yourself and a sure sign of high
perfection.

There have been priests in such unhappy

130 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

circumstances who preferred, with the con-
sent of their bishop, to resign their position,
rather than continue to live with an irrecon-
cilable brother, and thus give grave scandal
to the faithful and risk their own eternal
salvation.

Thus St. Paul exhorts you: "Put ye on
therefore as the elect of God, holy and be-
loved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, hu-
mility, modesty, patience. Bearing with
one another, and forgiving one another, if
any have a complaint against another, even
as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also.
But above all these things have charity,
which is the bond of perfection' ' (Col. iii.
12-14).

PART III

131

CHAPTER I

THE PRIEST AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS
MINISTRY

My son ! Soon after your installation see
that you pay your respects to all those per-
sonages with whom you are likely to trans-
act official business or who may be possessed
of special influence in the place. This at-
tention, at once a demand of courtesy and
prudence, will never cause any harm and
is often of great value. It has the further
advantage of making you acquainted with
the influential men of your parish, before
official business or pastoral duties bring you
into contact with them.

Content yourself with quiet observation
for some time, keep in the background, be
neither hasty nor forward in managing af-
fairs, and you may be sure your parishion-
ers will gain the conviction that the ship of
the parish is guided by a sober and prudent
pilot. They will soon find that the spirit of
innovation or rashness or impetuosity does

133

134 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

not prompt your actions, but only the con-
sciousness of duty, and that after sound and
mature consideration. This will win the
hearts of the faithful, gain their confidence,
and place your authority on a firm footing.

On the other hand, it irritates people to
see their parish priest interfering from the
first unnecessarily in all the affairs of the
congregation and perhaps introducing
changes simply for the sake of change. By
such action many a priest has caused wide-
spread dissatisfaction and alienated the
hearts of the faithful. Keserve, at this
stage, is also more becoming, as you have
not yet sufficient insight into the condition
of your flock. Not a superficial acquaint-
ance but solid and thorough observation
will enable you to form a correct estimate
of the real state of affairs. If you have
gained the firm conviction that reforms are
indeed necessary, be not precipitate, but
proceed cautiously, yet persistently. You
will never achieve much by showing scant
reverence to your predecessor, and when a
change must be made, you need not proclaim
it by sound of trumpet.

It is also generally better to obtain the
necessary information about the special

BEGINNING OF MINISTRY 135

needs and difficulties of your congregation
from your predecessor or from unbiased
neighboring priests, instead of inquiring di-
rectly from your parishioners themselves;
for thus you may easily compromise your-
self and forfeit the confidence of many.
Besides, if you are alive to the interests of
your flock, and frequently go to see them in
their homes, your own observation will show
you what is needful and profitable to them.

In this way you will also form a judgment
of your owrn of the different characters of
the individuals, the religious and political
views of the more influential persons, and
the condition of the various clubs of your
parish. All this will give you the necessary
clues and lights as to your conduct and your
whole method of procedure in the cure of
souls. "For, every tree is known by its
fruit. For, men do not gather figs from
thorns, nor from bramble bush do they
gather the grape" (Lake vi. 44) ; and "as
the faces of them that look therein, shine in
the water, so the hearts of men are laid open
to the wise" (Prov. xxvii. 19).

Should your parish unfortunately be split
into parties on any subject, be not so indis-
creet as to side with the one or the other,

136 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

nor let yourself be drawn into any party
strife. Keep constantly before your eyes
that as priest and shepherd of the flock, it
is your duty to be their peacemaker. But
how will you be a messenger of peace, if you
have attached yourself to one of the fac-
tions?

In the course of time, endeavor to calm
excited minds, to remove, if possible, the
causes of dissension, and to bring your in-
fluence to bear upon the leading men of both
sides. With patience and prudence you will
not unfrequently succeed in re-establishing
peace and concord. Treat the personal and
political adversaries of your predecessors
with the necessary caution, yet with the
same attention and consideration as others,
without betraying any sign of partiality or
bias. By such means many a man has been
induced to change his life.

Now let me caution you, my son, against
entering upon or entertaining too familiar
relations with special families, which are
more congenial to you. Do you, perhaps, be-
lieve that you thereby strengthen your
authority? "A prophet is not without
honor, save in his own country and in his
own house" (Matt. xiii. 57). The inhabit-

BEGINNING OF MINISTRY 137

ants of Nazareth despised even the Son of
God, whom no one could accuse of sin, be-
cause they saw Him eat, drink, and work like
ordinary mortals, and because His foster-
father, Joseph, and His relatives were poor.
How little will those esteem you, who, in
familiar intercourse, detect faults and
weaknesses in you, which they could not
have seen from a distance and which they
did not expect to find in a priest. Famil-
iarity often breeds contempt, and what is of
frequent occurrence, even if great in itself,
is liable to be looked upon as trivial; much
more what is faulty and sinful ! Therefore
observe what the " Imitation of Christ"
says: "We must have charity for all, but
familiarity is not expedient. It sometimes
happens that a person, when not known,
shines by a good reputation, who, when he
is present, is disagreeable to them that see
him. We think sometimes to please others
by being with them ; and we begin rather to
disgust them by the evil behavior which
they discover in us.,, l

Moreover, there is danger that in familiar
intercourse laymen become acquainted with
things which had better be unknown to

* Imitation of Christ, i, 8.

138 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

them, things which, as a rule, do not tend to
make them more pious and God-fearing, but
may do them positive harm. Try to im-
agine what indignation and discord may
arise, if this or that confidential remark,
thoughtlessly uttered by you in familiar
conversation, is repeated, and friendship is
turned into enmity ! Thus it follows not un-
frequently, that from unwise or misplaced
confidence a priest soon finds his liberty of
action circumscribed, and his independence
almost gone; which restraints — caused by
his own indiscretion — he would gladly shake
off, were he not hindered by the dread of
giving offence or scandal.

If in your visits you prefer the better
families, others will justly feel offended.
In everything you do and arrange, the latter
will suspect that you are influenced by the
former, and that especially when divisions
exist in the parish. Your authority and in-
fluence will suffer greatly, and even suspi-
cion of an evil kind may be raised against
you.

Take also into consideration that familiar
relations with special families and private
friendships often hinder that congenial in-
tercourse with your brother priests which

BEGINNING OF MINISTRY 139

is so extremely useful and salutary to you,
and so edifying to all well-meaning people.
My son! Do not count on the world's
gratitude; those who do are sure to meet
with disappointment. Have not even saint-
ly priests who uniformly strove for good
and combated evil, been often persecuted by
those whom they meant to benefit ? There-
fore disregard the approbation and the ap-
proval of this world, while you tread the
straight path of duty. Let pure motives,
the love of God and your fellow-men, guide
your actions, and the Lord Himself will ap-
prove of and make manifest on the Last Day
what good you have done, and He will give
Himself to you as your superabundant re-
ward for all eternity.

CHAPTER II

THE PRIEST AND HIS FLOCK

My son ! Oh, that you might all the days
of your priestly life remember that your Re-
deemer has bought with His precious blood
the immortal souls which are confided to
your care ! How zealously, then, should you
accept the charge of them and never tire,
until you have become all to all ! Listen to
your Saviour's words: "I am the good
shepherd; I have sacrificed everything; I
have given My life for My sheep. Follow
My footsteps, after the manner of My apos-
tles, and all saintly priests.' '

Disciple. My soul desires to follow Thee.
Therefore give me instruction and teach
me to deal with my parishioners in a manner
pleasing to Thee and profitable to my own
soul. Succor me with Thy grace, that I
may be able to become all to all and renew
all in Thee.

Master. "Hear, my son, the words of
My mouth and lay them as a foundation in

140

THE PRIEST AND HIS FLOCK 141

thy heart" (Tob. iv. 2). It is God's holy
will, that you keep guard over and feed the
flock entrusted to you, that you be a father
to those who call themselves your spiritual
children, and exclude no one from your pa-
ternal care and fatherly love. Keep this at
all times before your eyes, and it will not be
difficult to shape your dealings with the peo-
ple according to the divine pleasure.

Give free access to each of your parish-
ioners and treat them with fatherly kind-
ness, condescension, and affability, yet
mixed with dignified, noble reserve. This
will gain their confidence, open their hearts
and lips, and make them ready to follow
your words and admonitions. Make it your
aim never to allow anybody to leave you
with discontent in his heart ; even if you are
unable to comply with some requests, see
that your children go from you consoled and
resigned to their lot.

The good shepherd goes after his sheep,
that he may know them and they him.
Therefore I can not too warmly exhort you
to pay frequent visits to your parishioners
in the interest of their souls. These visits
will prove a powerful help in fulfilling your
pastoral duties and a great blessing to the

142 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

families you visit. But before you go to see
them, recommend them to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus and pray for light, that He may
guide your steps and lead you the right way.
Propose to yourself to behave in such a
manner as neither to disturb any one, nor
cause inconvenience in any way, so that your
spiritual children may rejoice at your com-
ing and look forward to the next visit with
delight.

With fatherly sympathy inquire after all
the members of the family, after their
troubles and successes, their joys and sor-
rows. Try to find out whether their reli-
gious obligations are conscientiously ful-
filled, and see to it that no connections dan-
gerous to the welfare of the soul are formed.
Likewise be observant as to whether unbe-
coming pictures, books, newspapers or mag-
azines, detrimental to faith or morals, are
being circulated. Not infrequently one kind
word will put a stop to many an abuse and
substitute something better in its place.

You will also easily find an opportunity
to give parents valuable advice as to the
choice of an occupation or profession for
their children. In some cases you may call
their attention to the special gifts their chil-

THE PRIEST AND HIS FLOCK 143

dren possess, and suggest a thorough and
well-grounded education, and, if circum-
stances permit, even higher studies. Do
not neglect this most important work; for
it is of great advantage to the Church to
see many of her children rise to higher call-
ings and better positions in life ; for thereby
they support and defend the interests of
holy religion.

You may also remember that a certain
degree of wealth among your parishioners
is highly conducive to carrying on the cure
of souls successfully. Too great poverty
easily leads to dishonesty, makes people de-
pendent and servile, and often robs them of
steadiness of character. For this reason in-
sist again and again, and with all sincerity,
on frugality and industry. If opportunity
offers, try to procure for the less fortunate
ones profitable work. Urge all workers to
be progressive in their aims, perfecting
themselves more and more in their various
callings. Thus, while their daily avocation
thereby becomes a labor of love, such con-
scientious work will make them impercep-
tibly acquire a strength and independence
of character which will make it unnecessary
to be servile to any employer; at the same

144 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

time, this will go a long way toward remov-
ing the reproach of being inferior because
they are Catholics. You will show them
that energetic self-help is the key to much
besides worldly success. Confidence in God's
special intervention, then, is only justi-
fied, when we have done all that lies in our
power.

In your private visits you will find ample
opportunity for giving hints and instruc-
tions regarding these and similar matters.

"The poor you have always with you ; but
Me you have not always'' (Matt. xxvi. 11).
Do not think little of the poor, my son, nor
refuse them your kind assistance; for it is
part of your vocation to be a father to the
poor. Cherish a high esteem for them, and
keep in mind that our divine Lord chose a
state of poverty for Himself and called the
poor in spirit blessed. Liberally open your
right hand, and fear lest the eternal judge
may include you with the unmerciful in
those words of condemnation: "I was
hungry, and you gave me not to eat. I was
thirsty, and you gave me not to drink"
(Matt. xxv. 42). Do not forget that it is
incomparably better and even more merito-
rious than almsgiving, to procure for the

THE PRIEST AND HIS FLOCK 145

poor settled employment and to assist them
in obtaining from municipalities or the state
those subsidies to which they are lawfully
entitled. Let those who without their fault
have fallen into misery and destitution, and
are ashamed of being looked upon as poor,
be the special object of your silent and hid-
den charity.

Be very zealous in visiting the sick; for
they are in greater need of spiritual assist-
ance and consolation than others. Trv to
soothe their pains and sufferings by pray-
ing with them and comforting and cheering
them with pious words. Exhort them to
patience and remind them of the eternal
crowns which are in store for them. En-
courage them to receive the blessings and
sacraments of Holy Church frequently, and
employ the greatest possible care that none
of your parishioners die without the sacra-
ments.

Be a father to widows and orphans, a pro-
tector to the oppressed, a comforter to the
afflicted, a counsellor to the erring; in short,
for all have a heart full of fatherly love and
kindness. Nothing will secure you their af-
fection and gratitude more than appearing
like an angel of comfort in their midst in the

146 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

sad hours of suffering, and helping them in
the days of need and misery. Even those
who foster ill-feeling in their hearts will be
conquered at last.

A good shepherd, my son, goes after the
lost sheep; he tries every means to find it
and can not rest until he has led it back to
the fold. Therefore evince lively interest
for the welfare of sinners and do not con-
sider any one lost, for whom you, as pastor
of souls, have earnestly implored God's
merciful grace. Wait for a favorable op-
portunity to talk to them, and then lead them
gently from the natural to the supernatural.

Give special attention to the youths who
devote themselves to study. See that they
feel at home in your presence, and induce
them to cultivate solid virtues and endeavor
to save them from evil influences. Show
yourself a fatherly friend and good coun-
sellor especially to those young men who
frequent universities and are exposed to
many dangers. But, above all, devote your
most anxious care to those who aspire to the
priestly dignity.

Be the friend of little children. " Suffer
little children to come unto Me, and forbid
them not; for of such is the kingdom of

THE PRIEST AND HIS FLOCK 147

God" (Mark x. 14). Deal with them like a
loving father, so that they may remember
you with reverence, love, and gratitude their
whole life long, and come to you in the
troubles and trials of life with unstinted con-
fidence.

My son! Much, indeed, is demanded
from you, but not too much, if you remem-
ber that immortal souls are entrusted to
you. When the sacrifices seem to you too
great, call to mind that the Son of God
leaves not even the cup of cold water unre-
warded, which you give out of charity, and
that He considers all done to Himself which
you do to the least of His brethren.

These consoling thoughts will inspire your
heart with all-enduring courage, and give
you that invincible strength which will en-
able you to practise heroic charity, yea even
to lay down your life for your flock.

CHAPTER III

THE PRIEST AND THE INFLUENTIAL MEN OF
THE PARISH

My son! Let me exhort you, as far as
possible, to entertain good relations with
those persons who on account of their po-
sition in life, office, or wealth, or because of
their higher education, prudence, expe-
rience, or other personal gifts possess great
influence in the parish. Daily experience
teaches to what degree the weal or woe of a
parish, the failure or success of an under-
taking, depends on these people.

If they are guided by the spirit of the
Church and well-disposed toward you, they
will most efficaciously support your good en-
deavors. If not, they will keep aloof and
you can never count on that active help
which would be invaluable for your work.

Anti-clerical or anti-religious persons
will, out of regard for your person, take up
a more moderate position and will more
readily suppress their wonted spirit of ani-

148

INFLUENTIAL MEN OF THE PARISH 149

mosity, if you only know how to secure their
esteem and good- will. If, on the other hand,
they are ill-disposed or hostile toward you
personally, they will put obstacles in your
way, try to lessen your authority, even raise
suspicions against you, and annoy you and
your flock whenever they can. Learn from
this that knowledge alone is of small avail to
a priest, if he has not the common-sense and
necessary tact to make concessions occasion-
ally and to give way, when he can, without
loss of principle.

Disciple. Very often in my life I have
experienced what influential people can do
in promoting good or evil, and I deem it my
duty to do all in my power to establish and
maintain good relations with them. Yet in
spite of my earnest endeavor I have not al-
ways attained this end.

Master. It is true, as priest you will
never be able to satisfy everybody and you
will never secure the friendship of all. Yet
prudent and judicious conduct will largely
tend toward winning over people of very dif-
ferent opinions, political and religious.

First of all, you must be careful to avoid
in your conduct anything directly calculated
to lose you the good opinion of worthy peo-

150 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

pie. This you will only attain by proving
yourself to be a conscientious priest and a
noble character whose every action is free
from personal ambition and self-interest,
and is the outcome of genuine zeal for the
salvation of souls. They must first come to
know you as a model of straightforwardness
and of justice which is proof against any
temptation. Even your enemies will thus
not fail to hold you in esteem, which is often
the safest basis of good relations.

Yet to strength of character must be added
a many-sided education, social and theolog-
ical, as well as to a great extent a tactful
behavior in friendly intercourse. If you do
not fall short in any of these things, you
can not but favorably impress those people
whose good will would be likely to benefit
your spiritual undertakings ; for they often
consider a certain degree of general knowl-
edge and some attention to ordinary social
etiquette as an essential part of education,
if not as education itself. How many an-
noyances and frictions can be avoided by a
due regard to the little social amenities of
life, how many difficulties overcome, how
much good accomplished !

Good will, a genial disposition, and a read-

INFLUENTIAL MEN OP THE PARISH 151

mess to oblige, will cause you often to an-
ticipate their wishes and will show them
that you are always ready to clear up and
settle matters in an amicable way, whenever
differences of opinion or quarrels threaten ;
in short, it will prove to them that you have
the maintenance of good relations sincerely
at heart. Even persons of different religious
persuasion or unbelievers will be obliged to
admit your claims upon their consideration,
if you always speak of them with respect
and without bitter feelings, and if you speak
favorably of their good qualities when op-
portunity offers.

On the other hand, influential people will
easily withdraw from you and resent it most
keenly, if you are too ready to criticize their
persons or actions. In such cases the safer
rule is to keep silent, and you may rest as-
sured that no priest had ever reason to re-
gret his reserve or silence in f orming a judg-
ment of others.

Finally, I advise you, my son, to aim at re-
spectful and friendly, but not familiar re-
lations. Take good care to avoid any kind
of dissension. If discord threatens, try by
every means, without the sacrifice of prin-
ciple, to prevent it. It is much easier to

152 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

prevent dissensions than to settle those
which already prevail. But there may be
cases where there is no room for an amicable
settlement; then it will be your duty to en-
ter into the contest in defence of higher in-
terests, such as the rights of the Church, of
faith, and morals; for Our Lord did not
come to send peace, but the sword. Then
uphold your cause, guided by the principles
of Christian justice, Christian prudence,
and Christian charity. Let your calmness
be equalled by your perseverance, and let
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, but cour-
ageous and enduring to the end, be your
model. Follow the glorious example of His
disciples and His apostles, who conquered
the world by self -conquest and unflinching
struggles in the interest of truth.

In this contest refrain from any passion-
ate outbreaks in private or public, and on
no account allow yourself to indulge in per-
sonal attacks, in bitterness, or sarcasm.
Prudence and religion alike condemn such
methods. You thereby justify their use by
your opponents, and you do more; you ex-
asperate them to increased bitterness and
boldness, and so bar the way to peace and
reconciliation, by breaking the bruised reed

INFLUENTIAL MEN OF THE PARISH 153

and extinguishing the smoking flax of hu-
man kindness.

All this consider well, my son; weigh it
in your mind and try to put it into practice.

Disciple. I trust in Thee, O Lord. Let
Thy grace be a guiding staff to me, so that
my foot may not stumble. For, it is no easy
task to walk with sure steps upon the narrow
path of duty, according to the wise instruc-
tions Thou hast given me.

CHAPTER IV

THE PRIEST AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES

My son, it has been a principle of Holy
Church throughout all the centuries to aim
at peace and mutual co-operation between
the spiritual and secular powers, and to
bring about an amicable settlement of dif-
ferences of opinion that may arise, as long
as the doctrine of the Church, her constitu-
tion, and her rights, remain intact. This
harmonious co-operation promotes the wel-
fare of the Church as well as of the State in
a most eminent degree, and is a source of the
greatest and most abundant blessings for
both. Conflicts between Church and State
lead to serious perils and numberless evils.

Therefore it is only becoming that priests,
following the example of Holy Church,
should aim at, promote, and maintain the
best relations with the civil authorities, un-
less important rights and interests of the
Church are thereby endangered.

Regarding your relations with the leading

154

PRIEST AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES 155

local authority, let me call your attention to
some points in particular. First of all, do
not forget that he holds an influential posi-
tion, which will enable him, if you succeed
in securing his co-operation, to be of eminent
assistance to you to remedy abuses, to up-
root bad customs, to remove certain occa-
sions of evil, to maintain peace and order.
On the other hand, bear in mind that it is
in his power to cause you great annoyance
and bitterness. Very often you will entirely
depend on his good will and pleasure, and
do not lose sight of the possibility that your
lot may be cast with him for many years.
Considering all this, you will do well to
overlook many things and carefully guard
against disturbing your good relations on
account of trifling matters or slight human
weaknesses, however annoying to you per-
sonally.

Give the civil authority that degree of
honor and attention which is due to him.
" Honor, to whom honor is due" (Rom. xiii.
7). Try to support his authority, for it
ultimately comes from God ; never underrate
or disregard it. Make it a firm principle,
never in the least to encroach upon his
rights and privileges, nor to act as his men-

156 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

tor and adviser in matters concerning his
office ; for many would take offence. Look
upon his rights as sacred and inviolable ; yet
oppose any infringement of ecclesiastical
privileges with as much politeness as deter-
mination.

Without good reason do not interfere with
purely civil matters. If the civil authority
is at variance with some portion of the com-
munity, prudent and impartial conduct on
your part will be all the more necessary;
let your one desire be to establish peace.

Whilst observing all due attention and
consideration for local authorities, beware
of anything tending to familiarity, which, as
experience shows, not unfrequently ends in
discord. As a rule you will succeed best if
you aim at friendly relations based on mu-
tual esteem and on the ready acknowledg-
ment and mutual support of your respective
rights and powers ; for the rest, maintain a
certain dignified reserve, and confine your-
self to official intercourse.

My son, "the children of this world are
wiser in their generation than the children
of light" (Luke xvi. 8) ; "therefore be wise
as serpents and simple as doves" (Matt. x.
16) . " See therefore how you walk circum-

PRIEST AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES 157

spectly, not as unwise" (Eph. v. 15), and do
not lose sight of the fact that days of bitter
strife may follow the pleasant days of peace.
If in your just claims you meet with resist-
ance or if anything is demanded from you
which you must refuse, try quietly to
smoothe over difficulties, to obviate possible
misunderstandings, and to settle matters am-
icably before you refer them to higher au-
thorities. Be very careful to act with due
consideration of the special circumstances
prevailing in the ecclesiastical and civil life
of the community. If the contest can not be
avoided, act according to the principles
which I have previously explained to you.

CHAPTER V

THE PKIEST AND THE SCHOOLMASTEK

My son, do not underrate the importance
of the schoolmaster in the parish. The
growing generation is confided to his care
and he contributes essentially to the reli-
gious education of the young. He may
train them to a good life or to a bad one, to
esteem and reverence for Holy Church and
her priests or to disregard and contempt of
them. Through the children, again, he
makes his influence felt with the parents.
His good example is a source of edification
for the whole parish, while misdemeanor on
his part will cause scandal to all, and may
cause ruin to many ; for a great number his
opinion will be decisive and final, and they
will follow him as their leader.

For these reasons take great pains to
make the schoolmaster well-disposed and
loyal toward you. The harmonious co-op-
eration of school and church is of the utmost

158

PRIEST AND SCHOOLMASTER 159

importance, and of incalculable advantage
for your work in the cure of souls.

Therefore show your teachers that you
cherish benevolent feelings toward them and
treat them with kindness and respect; for
thus speaks the Apostle: " Loving one an-
other with the charity of brotherhood, with
honor preventing one another'' (Rom. xii.
10). You will not only yourself pay due
respect to them, but will insist on others,
especially the young, doing the same. Sup-
port them in their work and incline rather
toward praising their good qualities than
reprehending their shortcomings and faults.

With regard to school matters, let justice,
and fairness, combined with love and char-
ity, be your guiding principles. In difficul-
ties raised by shortsighted and unreasonable
parents, always take the part of the teacher.
If the complaints are well-grounded, try to
appease the accusing parties and admonish
the teacher in private. But never, never
give him a reprimand in the presence of the
children or publicly before others.

If the teacher is at the same time an offi-
cial in the church, treat him rather in the
capacity of teacher. Generously acknowl-
edge the services he thus renders and the

160 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

sacrifices he has to make toward the glory
of God, and show that you know how to ap-
preciate the difficulties he has to overcome ;
and you will see that he will take all these
burdens upon himself with greater willing-
ness.

Do not turn a deaf ear to his fair and rea-
sonable claims and wishes, but support them
as far as lies in your power. But be it far
from you, for the sake of any man, to be-
come guilty of injustice.

Take lively interest in the joyful and sad
events in his family, and be to him a faith-
ful friend and adviser. Assist him in the
education of his own children with good
counsel, and if need be with substantial sup-
port. At all times show yourself kind and
obliging toward him.

If you thus deal with your teachers, ac-
cording to the principles of justice and gen-
uine charity, and be a fatherly friend to
them, they must be truly ungrateful and
unworthy if they do not become attached to
you and do not esteem and love you sin-
cerely.

Devote special attention and care to the
young teachers, for a great deal of good may

PRIEST AND SCHOOLMASTER 161

be done this way and your influence may be-
come a guiding star for their whole life.
Show that you cherish in your heart a fa til-
er 's feelings for them and try to deepen
their Christian views of life by means of
congenial intercourse and by providing
them with suitable books. Encourage those
who are more gifted to perfect their educa-
tion more and more, instruct them how to
find ways and means to accomplish it, and
remain a fatherly and benevolent friend to
them throughout their life.

If unfortunately there is a teacher in the
parish whose conduct leaves much to be de-
sired, bear with him patiently and take
pains to win him over with kindness and
benevolence ; with harshness you will scarce-
ly succeed. Should it ever happen that a
master has fallen away from his religious
duties, or, in an extreme case, has lost his
faith, without however manifesting it ex-
teriorly, do not deny him the conventional
marks of respect, lest open enmity break
out between you with all its baneful conse-
quences. If you punish a bad teacher with
contempt and treat him harshly, his heart
will be more and more perverted, and to

162 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

spite you he will practise all kinds of chi-
canery and annoyance, as long as he does not
endanger his own position.

Should discord and tension prevail among
your teachers, spare no trouble or sacrifice
to prepare the way for better relations.

If dissension has unfortunately arisen be-
tween yourself and one of the teachers, con-
sider it a great evil for the whole parish, an
evil which must be removed, if it is in any
way possible. If the teacher has fallen out
with you, make reconciliation easy to him;
if the fault lies on your side, it is your
bounden duty to take the first step to ter-
minate the affair. Otherwise how can you
preach peace to the world and reconcilia-
tion to those who live in enmity? Make
haste, therefore, and you will not only pre-
vent those deplorable effects of long-stand-
ing enmity, but also greatly edify those who
look up to you as their model in everything.
Should the teacher, however, be a man of
such character as to exclude any reconcilia-
tion, then Christian prudence will, in most
cases, suggest the means of continuing your
relations with the least possible friction.

Disciple. Master, I will do my best to
follow Thy instructions. Therefore I pray

PRIEST AND SCHOOLMASTER 163

Thee, teach me how I am to regulate my
social intercourse with the teachers; for it
seems to me difficult to act correctly in this
respect.

Master. My son, ' ' in all things show thy-
self an example of good works, in doctrine,
in integrity, in gravity" (Titus ii. 7).
With regard to social intercourse, remem-
ber that both extremes are to be avoided.
Make it a rule that you meet the teachers
from time to time, in order to consult to-
gether about the spiritual and moral welfare
of the children. Besides this, I should rec-
ommend occasional informal meetings for
genial conversation. But that you may
neither compromise your authority nor
make the superiority arising from your ed-
ucation, social position, and sacred office
felt unpleasantly, try to combine a certain
dignified reserve with familiar affability.
Therefore do not take liberties, guard
against giving the least offense, and be not
guilty of the slightest breach of good man-
ners. If you treat everybody with tact, re-
spect, and politeness, no one will be able to
accuse you of too free a behavior nor, on the
other hand, of the narrowness of an over-
exacting official.

164 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

And impress this lesson deeply on your
heart: In social intercourse be cautious in
what you say and faithfully attend to what
appears in Holy Writ: "In the multitude
of words there shall not want sin; but he
that refraineth his lips, is most wise"
(Prov. x. 19) . If anybody, it is the priest
who has to be most careful in this respect.
It is much better to speak too little than
overmuch without consideration. It is
much better to keep secrets for oneself
than to confide them to others in unguarded
moments. Indiscreet talk easily gives of-
fence, diminishes your authority, robs you
largely of your liberty in dealing with peo-
ple, and may have most unpleasant conse-
quences in times of quarrel or dissension.

Weigh this well in your mind, my son,
and do not forget what the Scriptures say :
"Their tongue is a piercing arrow, it hath
spoken deceit : with his mouth one speaketh
peace with his friend, and secretly he lieth
in wait for him" (Jer. ix. 8).

CHAPTER VI

THE PRIEST'S CONDUCT TOWARD WOMEN

My son, "be not familiar with any
woman, but recommend all good women in
general to God."1 Many, bewitched by
women, have fallen away from their faith
and been ruined, because they were not
mindful of their weakness and did not
practise the necessary restraint and caution.
Do not experience and history testify that
almost all those unfortunate priests who
have gone so far as to make shipwreck of
faith and morality, have sunk so low be-,
cause of their lack of caution in their con-
duct toward women I

Disciple. I know that I am a reed sha-
ken with the wind. Why has the Lord
called upon me, so weak and infirm, to be
the pastor of women's souls too ? Why has
He charged me, the poorest of all, to lead
them to heaven, to console them in need and
affliction, to counsel them in doubt, to assist

i Imitation of Christ, i, 8.

165

166 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

them in sickness? But though I distrust
my virtue, withdrawing myself entirely
from them would be a sin against my voca-
tion. How, then, shall I accomplish this
difficult task, without coming to grief my-
self?

Master. It is true, you are made also
their pastor ; but remember that though this
task may be accompanied by manifold
temptations and dangers, it is the Lord who
has called you, and He indeed is powerful
enough to direct everything to the greater
good of your soul. You, however, must
manfully strive after a pure intention and
make use of the necessary precautions,
which Holy Writ, the Church, and her holy
Doctors so earnestly recommend to you.
But that you may be quite safe, I will give
you some special instructions.

Even when teaching girls in school, your
bearing should be characterized by gravity
and seriousness, and you must avoid any-
thing approaching favoritism or senti-
mentality. Tenderness must be used with
great caution; for it becomes the mother
rather than the priest. See that, if possi-
ble, you are never alone with a girl ; because
there are persons in this suspicious world

CONDUCT TOWARD WOMEN 167

who are only too prone to give a malicious
interpretation even to the most harmless
actions of a priest.

Special caution and watchfulness are re-
quired in visiting the sick of the other sex.
Needless to say, they have a right to your
consolation and assistance also, but it may
easily happen that, moved by pity, you use
tender language and become sentimental
without being aware of it. Remember that
for many priests this was the beginning of
their fall. Therefore do not unduly pro-
tract your stay; in your whole exterior ob-
serve befitting earnestness and reserve, and
if possible see that a third person be pres-
ent, except, of course, in case of confession
or spiritual guidance.

Let me earnestly w7arn you not to act the
doctor with the sick, especially with fe-
males ; for this may not only be the cause of
grave mistakes and extreme unpleasantness
for you, but it has often been the beginning
of moral aberrations for priests.

With regard to the confessional, guard
against showing any preference for the
other sex; rather devote more attention to
men, and by no means give people the slight-
est reason to think that you have favorite

168 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

penitents among women. Such favoritism
would lose you the confidence of many and
lessen your influence as a director of souls
to a most deplorable degree. Let your be-
havior be neither harsh and repulsive, nor
tender and emotional. May it rather be-
token dignity and earnestness, combined
with fatherly affection and kindness. As a
rule aim at brevity in your advice in the con-
fessional.

Beware of curiosity, guard against at-
tachments, and be especially brief, concise,
and cautious in questions about the sixth
commandment. Make it a principle to say
less rather than more on such matters.

Further, shake off that narrow-minded
jealousy, if a penitent seeks another con-
fessor occasionally. Do you not make use
of this right yourself, when you find it con-
venient?

With regard to visitors of the other sex,
especially of younger age, make it a firm
rule, to admit only those who come on busi-
ness or for some definite purpose. To occa-
sion or encourage such visits is only ad-
visable on very important grounds. To
those who come for the sake of mere talking
or for some other insufficient reason, give a

CONDUCT TOWARD WOMEN 169

hint — and if necessary a very broad one —
that you can use your time for more serious
things and are by no means pleased at these
unnecessary visits. Should you notice that
somebody seeks opportunities to see you
from a kind of secret attachment, then out-
spoken brevity and coldness are a necessity.
If custom does not require more civility,
offer ladies a chair only after you have con-
vinced yourself that the matter will take
some time. Let girls who collect money to
be handed over to you or those who come in
the interest of their club, come with com-
panions, if possible. When instructing con-
verts, let them also have a companion, if
circumstances allowr.

Do not pay visits to ladies at all, unless
they are necessary or highly desirable be-
cause of social considerations or in the in-
terest of souls. Frequent visitors without
good reasons — and remember, the world has
sharp eyes — may bring serious danger to
you and grave injury to your good name.

If you deem it necessary to visit families
in which there are grown-up daughters, you
will cause offence by paying exclusive at-
tention to the latter. As it would be unbe-
fitting to neglect them, so it is more becom-

170 RULES FOR PASTOR OF SOULS

ing to make the parents, as a rule, the center
of conversation. With all kindness and af-
fability, impose upon yourself a certain re-
straint, carefully weigh your words, and do
not stay longer than is expedient and be-
coming.

In your whole bearing with regard to
women, there must be nothing which might
in any way compromise your sublime sac-
erdotal dignity or cause temptation or
danger to any one. Therefore carefully
avoid all kinds of familiarity and utter-
ances which might offend against delicacy
of feeling or be liable to a less delicate inter-
pretation. Consider that the world applies
to the priest also that word of Scripture,
"out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh" (Luke vi. 45).

Endeavor to acquire a dignified, grave and
manly, yet fatherly and kind demeanor,
which inspires everybody with confidence,
esteem, and reverence. Let the place of your
conversation with women be beyond sus-
picion, and easily accessible to everybody.

Guard your senses, especially your eyes,
with all diligence in the Lord. Be it far
from you to look at a woman with pleasure.

CONDUCT TOWARD WOMEN 171

The eye of a woman unsettles the balance of
the soul ; it has overcome many and brought
them to ruin. How often has a tiny spark
burst into an all-consuming fire! Beware
also of any, even the slightest, touch, and
unless good manners and custom require it,
do not shake hands with women, nor ap-
proach them too closely. The knowledge of
your own frailty and still more of the
greater frailty and excitability of the fe-
male nature, may well be a powerful motive
to follow these instructions.

At social gatherings and excursions in
which ladies take part, join the gentlemen
by preference. It is better to commit a
fault on the side of restraint than on that of
liberty, better to say and do too little than
too much, better to do and say nothing than
ever so little which may be interpreted to
your disadvantage, If only ladies take
part, see that another priest, or, better still,
a layman, accompanies you.

Disciple. "I will do all things, which
Thou hast commanded me" (Tob. v. 1).
Only one question allow me to ask. What
is the correct view with regard to presents
which priests receive from ladies, and with

172 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

regard to the spiritual direction which
priests are wont to give to pious souls out-
side the confessional?

Master. Let me advise you, my son, in
general, not to accept from women presents
which are meant for you personally. Those
who live in poorer circumstances will cer-
tainly feel it and perhaps resent it, because
they are not in a position to imitate the rich.
Moreover, you may rest assured that by ac-
cepting such presents you decrease rather
than increase your influence. For personal
considerations will often prevent you from
speaking with the necessary candor and
straightforwardness and will limit your lib-
erty of action. Apart from small conven-
tional keepsakes of a pious nature, make no
presents to younger ladies at all; it may
easily encourage their vanity and vainglory
and often cause scandalous talk. In giving
pecuniary or other aid to young females,
take the necessary precautions, lest mali-
cious suspicion put a bad construction on
your action.

As to your other question, bear in mind
that frequent communication with pious
souls, especially of younger age, may not
only cause temptations but also grave perils,

CONDUCT TOWARD WOMEN 173

and this especially because one is less aware
of the peril involved or even believes oneself
proof against it. Therefore, rare cases ex-
cepted, restrict spiritual direction to the
confessional.

Be frank with yourself in this matter.
If a priest is particularly drawn to giving
uncommon attention to younger persons of
the other sex, and if the latter preferably
approach younger priests for spiritual di-
rection, are these the promptings of grace
or the impulses of nature ?

Remember that in the beginning the at-
tachment may be more or less of a spiritual
nature ; yet the of tener each sees the other,
to converse about spiritual affairs, the
greater becomes their intimacy. But the
greater the intimacy, the greater also the
danger of a natural inclination and attach-
ment. In this respect pious souls are all
the more attractive the holier they are.
Thus it has happened more than once that
what is of the flesh was mixed with what is
of the spirit, and what began in the spirit
ended in the flesh. Remember that Satan
allures more souls into his nets by the at-
tractive charm of innocence than by the
open enticements of vice.

174 KULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

Therefore, my son, trust not to the
strength of your virtue, nor to that of souls,
however holy. Was not the heart of Solo-
mon, in his old age, bewitched by women?
For of him it is written, " And when he was
now old, his heart was turned away by
women, to follow strange gods" (3 Kings
xi. 4). But who are you that you dare to
seek the danger f

Son, my son, fly those dangerous occa-
sions. Call to mind over and over again,
that the temptations of the concupiscence of
the flesh are best overcome by flight.

Now search your heart with light from on
high and see if you do not entertain any at-
tachment which may prove harmful to you ;
see if you have not already been guilty of
smaller faults, or if you have not already
come to fall. Then, O my son, rise ! Eise
without delay! Break asunder the bonds
which have ensnared you! Tear yourself
away from women ! How will you remove
the flame from the fire, unless you extin-
guish the fire itself? Is it not written
"and if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck
it out and cast it from thee" (Matt. v. 29).
Truly I say to you: "The kingdom of
heaven suffereth violence, and the violent
bear it away" (Matt. xi. 12).

CHAPTER VII

THE PRIEST IN RELATION* TO CLUBS

Look around you, my son, and behold
how ungodliness raises its head shame-
lessly, not only in towns, but in the country
also. See how everywhere hostile powers
unite to combat all the more efficaciously,
and if possible to annihilate, the Church and
the whole Christian social order. Surely
the followers of Christ must rally together
and face their enemies in serried ranks and
with united strength.

Disciple. Long ago I recognized that
unions and clubs are necessary, O Master!
But I should like to learn what I must at-
tend to principally in founding and man-
aging such institutions. For I know from
experience that many things have to be
looked after and that not unf requently great
difficulties are to be overcome.

Master. My son, bear in mind that there
exists a great difference between town and
country. Whilst in the town, a greater

175

176 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

number of clubs is required on account of
the various professions, one or two will be
quite sufficient in a place in the country.
Surely in these days of embittered struggle,
a club will not only be very useful in most
parishes, but it is absolutely necessary, to
gather together grown-up youths and men,
in order to train them in matters social, po-
litical, and ecclesiastical.

If there is a question of founding new
clubs, especially in a country place, proceed
with caution and prudence. Some have up-
held the principle, the more clubs, the better
for the Catholic cause. Yet they have in-
variably been deceived in their expectations,
and achieved no success; for by dividing
their strength and energy they could not
fully do justice to any one club. If, on
the other hand, they had concentrated their
full attention and energy upon one or two
clubs, they would have found that one club,
well guided and thoroughly managed,
would bring forth most excellent fruit.

In founding as well as in managing a club,
you wTill do well not to put yourself too much
forward, but to let zealous laymen of good
reputation and character take precedence.
In many cases it will be prudent and ad-

PRIEST IN RELATION TO CLUBS 177

visable not to take the management of the
affairs of the club into your own hands, but
to have the office of spiritual adviser and
counselor only. Further, consider it a mat-
ter of no small moment, if you want your
club to flourish, that only men of unselfish
and irreproachable character be elected into
the managing committee, men who take
genuine interest in, and are ready to make
sacrifices for its aims and ends.

With regard to the ordinary members,
take care that only worthy men are received.
Those who are negligent in their religious
duties or give scandal with regard to their
morals, quarrelsome people, grumblers, ha-
bitual drinkers, and other worthless fel-
lows must be refused admittance under any
circumstances. They would not only ruin
the reputation of Catholic clubs in general,
but also poison the atmosphere of their own
club and overthrow all moral conceptions of
Christian social life.

Let the number of meetings correspond to
the needs of the members. Few but well-
prepared meetings with suitable lectures
w7ill achieve much more than many badly
prepared and aimlessly conducted. Apart
also from the fact that a large sum of money

178 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

would thus be spent uselessly, many fathers
of families would be drawn away from their
homes without necessity.

Your chief aim must be that your club re-
mains true to the Catholic principles on
which it was founded, and that you pro-
mote its interest to the best of your power,
in matters religious as well as social, such as
the forming of character, the education and
training of the individual members, and the
material welfare and progress of the whole
community. If these ideals are not partly
at least realized, your club will not serve
its purpose.

It is, therefore, of vital importance that
each club should have its specific manage-
ment, with the one object in view to attain
these ends as fully as possible. Thus, for
instance, the choice and arrangement of
lectures ought to be such as to be in complete
harmony with the character and particular
conditions of each club. Further, no meet-
ing should be held without a definite pur-
pose ; some substantial good ought to be its
outcome, either for the spiritual or temporal
well-being of its members.

There is no need, on the contrary it would
be a fault on vour side, to do all the work

PRIEST IN RELATION TO CLUBS 179

yourself. It is part of Christian prudence
rather, to look carefully after the training
of suitable persons, in order to engage them
as much as possible in the business manage-
ment of the club, and to educate select mem-
bers in such a way as to render them able
to give appropriate lectures themselves.

It will be of incalculable advantage if you
succeed in getting respectable men of the
higher classes to become interested in and to
join Catholic associations and clubs. Their
membership, and especially their open pro-
fession of the Catholic faith by word and
example, will make a deep and lasting im-
pression on the ordinary man ; it will make
him realize the strength, nobility, and
beauty of his faith, and inspire him with
a self-sacrificing spirit and enthusiasm for
the objects of the club.

With regard to yourself, strictly adhere
to the rules of the club and do not trans-
gress them in the least. Since you are their
foremost guardian, you must be their most
conscientious observer. Priests who make
light of the regulations, do not reflect that
this will not go unnoticed and will cause
scandal to many. And is it not fair, that
what is right for others should be right also

180 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

for you f If some of the rules require modi-
fication, let it be done according to the stat-
utes of the club. Thus your method of pro-
cedure will stand on a firm and safe founda-
tion, and you will have a legitimate answer,
if reproaches, in time of excitement, should
ever be made against you.

Let your entire conduct be truly worthy
of your priestly calling; be no less dignified
than affable. Yet a certain degree of re-
straint will always be required, lest you
commit yourself in anything and diminish
your authority. Be always mindful of the
fact that the office of a spiritual director,
w7ho from time to time will have to deal
with the most divers and most delicate mat-
ters, is a very heavy one; it will demand
from you a generous measure of tact and
self-control.

Treat all without exception in the same
attentive and kindly manner. Carefully
guard against anything which might be in-
terpreted as bias or ambition. Do not insist
on your own opinion unduly, nor place your
own personality always foremost ; this would
give the impression that everybody must
follow your lead, and it displeases many,
causes ill-feeling, and casts a kind of blight

PRIEST IN RELATION TO CLUBS 181

on a joyful co-operation of the members.
Endeavor, rather, to win over influential
members for your aims and plans, and ar-
range matters so that they themselves take
the initiative in making the respective pro-
posals.

Should it be necessary on some occasion
to take energetic measures and carry a thing
through with a strong hand, then act with
all the discretion and moderation at your
command. Act only after due considera-
tion and never, never, in a passion ; for this
might lead to most fatal consequences, of
which you may bitterly repent. How often
has it happened that members who felt of-
fended have estranged many others from
the priest and the club which he was direct-
ing? On the other hand, consider that for-
bearance and silence have their limits too.

Grant the members full liberty in express-
ing and ventilating their views and opinions.
For it is not hesitating children you are to
train and educate, but characters and per-
sonalities, in short, men able to think and
act independently. Only then will your
club flourish and create enthusiasm and
readiness for sacrifices, when the members
find themselves called upon to give their

182 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

share of intellectual co-operation, and when
far-reaching liberty and independence are
secured to them.

Endeavor to promote the spirit of sim-
plicity, sobriety, and thrift among your
men, and so to secure also the aims of a
temperance society. But then it will be
necessary for you to be irreproachable your-
self and to set an example to all.

Combat with all your might that un-
healthy craving for pleasure and amuse-
ment, which not only frustrates the noble
aims of any club, but also leads to the ruin
of temporal well-being and family life.
See, therefore, that club festivities are re-
duced or combined, if they follow in too
close succession, whenever it can conven-
iently be done, and take care that the
meetings are neither too frequent nor too
long.

An institution conceived and directed in
this way will be of very great profit, but a
club badly managed and chiefly intended to
provide pleasure and amusement will do
more harm than good.

One more urgent counsel I will add:
Watch carefully over your health, and with
all interest and zeal for your club, do not

PRIEST IN RELATION TO CLUBS 183

neglect striving after true and solid virtue.
Many priests have become so absorbed in
club matters that they no longer took pleas-
ure in serious mental pursuits, neglected
their spiritual duties, and even their chief
duty — the cure of souls. Do not imitate
their example, lest you run the risk of be-
coming responsible for the loss of the souls
entrusted to your care and in the end of
losing your own soul.

CHAPTER VIII

THE PRIEST IN HIS RELATIONS WITH PERSONS
OF A DIFFERENT FAITH

My son, thus speaketh the Lord to the
priests of the whole wcfrld, "Go ye into the
whole world and preach the gospel to every
creature" (Mark xvi. 15). For "God will
have all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. ii. 4).
Since, according to God's holy intention,
your work as a priest is not limited to
Catholics only, but must necessarily extend
to persons of all other beliefs, it can not be
a matter of indifference what attitude you
assume toward them. As far as lies in your
power, you must take the greatest pains not
to repel them in any way, but rather to at-
tract them and make them susceptible of and
well-disposed toward truth.

To this end it will be of great value if
those who profess another religion gather
from your whole bearing the conviction that
you yourself are most thoroughly convinced

184

PERSONS OF DIFFERENT FAITH 185

of the sanctity and sublimity of your priest-
ly vocation, and that your whole being is
imbued with and ennobled by the spirit of
the Catholic religion. Let your modesty,
your uprightness, and purity of character,
your unselfishness and complete self-com-
mand, bear witness to the fact that you are
a zealous and self-sacrificing pastor, the
friend and father of the poor, the consoler
of the sick, the comforter of the afflicted,
and a counselor to all. Thus your light will
shine before men, if they see your good
works, and you will be like unto a city set
on a hill, which can not be hidden from any
one. Never forget, my son, that the eyes of
all are upon you.

With this priestly perfection of life you
must combine personal esteem and love for
those outside the Church and sincere tolera-
tion in social intercourse. Therefore, be as
polite, affable, and fair-minded in dealing
with them as with your own people.

Too much reserve and silence will never
gain the sympathy of outsiders, neither for
yourself » nor for your cause, especially in
countries where large numbers differ from
you in religious belief; it rather leads to
apathy or even repulsion.

186 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

As a priest, filled with lofty ideals and
guided by exquisite refinement and social
tact, you will certainly not deny that degree
of esteem and delicate consideration for the
religious sentiments of those outside the
Catholic Church which you claim for your-
self. It betrays a mean soul, a narrow
heart, and lack of moral maturity, to have
the audacity to invade the sanctuary of an-
other 's religion with a wanton spirit. Even
the pagans, who manifestly are given to a
false religion, justly claim this tender con-
sideration for their religious views and
feelings.

All this you must consider well in your
heart, if official business, social considera-
tion, or other reasons bring you into contact
with people of another belief. On such
occasions avoid conversations on religious
topics and all kinds of allusions which
might be interpreted wrongly or offend
against the religious conviction of the other
party. I advise you also to aim in your
dealings with outsiders at forbearance and
leniency in your judgment; for nothing
makes a more favorable impression on them
than a mild and gentle word from the lips
of a priest. If you only succeed in impress-

PERSONS OF DIFFERENT FAITH 187

ing them favorably, and if you can show
them that you are not wanting either in del-
icate tact or in education and social train-
ing, and that you are no enemy of inno-
cent joys and amusements, a good deal has
been gained. Yet to achieve this, it is
neither necessary nor advisable to be on the
lookout for very frequent meetings with
those outside the fold.

Disciple. What Thou sayest is good and
wise. But is there not a wide gulf between
us and those outside the fold ? A continual
combat between faith and heresy? And
must not the followers of these opposing
doctrines to a large extent be drawn into
this contest ?

Master. Indeed, my son, there is a wide
gulf between faith and heresy, between light
and darkness; but you must carefully dis-
tinguish between error and its followers.
Even granting that error, especially in mat-
ters of religion, has no right to exist, just as
little as has vice, yet this will not hinder you
from considering its unfortunate victims as
your brothers and from showing them sin-
cere love and sympathy. A prudent pastor
will feel all the more kindly toward them the
more he appreciates the difficulties which

188 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

keep them from knowing and embracing the
truth. Often it is birth and family ties;
often it is early education and training, per-
haps given with the expressed purpose of
repelling them from the Catholic Church;
often it is mere exclusion from everything
Catholic; often it is the grossest prejudice
imbibed in childhood, growing with their
growth and intimately connected with those
that have been nearest and dearest to them.

There exists also a constant and bitter
warfare between truth and error, a combat
of doctrine against doctrine, a combat for
souls which, however, should never degen-
erate into a combat against persons ; a com-
bat which is to be fought out in the regions
of knowledge and is never to be carried into
social life and political agitation, unless the
cause of religion is at stake.

What an amount of bias, spite, and mis-
understanding would quickly disappear, if
on both sides men fought solely for the
truth, with fairness and dignity, without
passion and bitterness, weighing everything
on its own merits! Then, indeed, the way
would slowly open to bring about that mu-
tual understanding which Providence has
ordained to come one day, the accomplish-

PERSONS OF DIFFERENT FAITH 189

ment of which, however, is hidden from our
eyes. That this contest be carried on with
the weapons of charity and love will be par-
ticularly necessary in countries where
various religions hold sway; for only char-
ity and love will bring about a salutary co-
operation in the great aims of State and
society and preserve peace and concord
among the various denominations.

From this it will be clear that it would be
neither Christian nor prudent on your part,
for example, to try to substitute a Catholic
physician for one professing another creed,
if the latter fulfils the duties of his profes-
sion conscientiously and without religious
bias. In the same way it wTould be a grave
mistake if you took steps toward removing
the head of some municipal body wTho is not
a Catholic, in favor of a Catholic, if he was
otherwise a deserving man. Apart from the
probability that those of other denomina-
tions will accuse you of bitter spite against
their religion and on their part be provoked
to retaliation, a want of success would cer-
tainly be attended with much loss to your
prestige and influence. Therefore it is ad-
visable to wait patiently until death or
other cause creates a vacancy, and then act

190 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

with prudence and fairness, but also ener-
getically and decisively.

It is evident that you should insist — and
if necessary with emphasis — that in filling
the more important vacancies the claims of
the different candidates should be treated
with full impartiality, irrespective of their
religious faith. Since you have to defend
sacred ecclesiastical rights, which it would
be sinful to give up or compromise, you
must show by your conduct that the prin-
ciple, " Peace at any price," in these matters
is not to be thought of.

With regard to mixed marriages and the
religion of the children resulting therefrom,
you must uphold Catholic principles to their
full meaning and extent, always "fortiter
in re, sed suaviter in modo."

If it should be necessary to deny Chris-
tian burial to a Catholic, whereby non-
Catholic relatives would also be affected,
communicate it to the latter sympathet-
ically, and as far as possible without hurting
their feelings; on the other hand, do not
omit to lay stress on the fact that you are
not entitled, contrary to the laws of Holy
Church, to force your services upon one

PERSONS OF DIFFERENT FAITH 191

who during his lifetime severed himself
from the Church.

To ministers of other denominations al-
ways exhibit that degree of kindness which
they can rightly expect, and do not make
yourself guilty of anything which might be
interpreted as arising from spite or rude-
ness. It may at times be of great advan-
tage to settle some kinds of business orally
rather than by writing; a discussion, car-
ried on with the spirit of Christian charity
and the sincere desire to come to a mutual
understanding, may smooth over or entirely
prevent strained relations and misunder-
standings.

PART rv

193

THE PRIEST IN SICKNESS

My son, resign yourself in all things to
the most holy will of God and be no less
ready for suffering than for rejoicing.
There is not sunshine every day; showers
and lightning and boisterous storms must
also come and one season must give way to
another, so that all may combine toward
one appointed end. In the same way, the
sun of undimmed happiness will not smile
upon you at all times; but you must pass
through manifold trials and sufferings of
body and soul, so that the fruit of your vir-
tue may be brought to maturity and per-
fection.

Everything that befalls you has its par-
ticular purpose in God's providence, if you
only make use of it, in the right spirit, for
the cleansing of your soul. There will come
a day on which, in the brightness of eternal
light, you will fully realize how everything,
including sickness, was ordained by God to

195

196 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

the good of your soul and your eternal sal-
vation.

Enlarge your heart, my son, and learn in
what manner sickness may be useful in your
progress toward perfection.

Sickness leads you, as it were, into soli-
tude, rich in graces, where removed from
the distractions of the world and free from
your daily routine and work you will find
leisure to turn your mind wholly upon your-
self and to weigh in the long hours of suf-
fering the good and evil you have done. In
those sleepless nights, by the dim light of
the candle, whilst everything around is
hushed in a stillness like that of the grave,
when nothing can disturb your meditation,
your conscience will become to you a power-
ful and irresistible preacher. Then fervent
prayers will ascend to heaven, tears unseen
by the world will flow, and resolutions and
good promises, of which heaven alone is
witness, will be made.

God in His all-loving providence sends
sickness and suffering, to bring home to you
in the most effective manner the instability
and vanity of the goods of this world; of
health, riches, honor, high position, and all
those things to which the natural man clings

THE PRIEST IN SICKxNESS 197

with all the fibers of his heart. This suffer-
ing and its results ought to purify the dim
eye of your knowledge and teach you, from
the depth of your conviction, to exclaim
with Solomon: "Vanity of vanities, and
all is vanity' ' (Eccles. i. 2) except to love
God and serve Him alone. Only when di-
vine grace, by means of sickness and other
trials, has led you to despise earthly goods,
will the highest perfections bud forth from
your heart as from a most fertile soil.

In suffering are buried, as in a rich mine,
immeasurable treasures and jewels of in-
terior and exterior mortifications, treasures
which you must make your own by manfully
overcoming yourself. How many sacrifices
of patience can you offer up to God day
after day; how many cares which weigh
upon you can you generously place in the
hands of your heavenly Father; how often
can you practise meekness in dealing with
those around you, when you experience care-
lessness in nursing or are unusually irrita-
ble ; what frequent opportunities for bearing
patiently those smaller and greater humili-
ations which your utter helplessness or
special condition entails! By repeated
practice you will acquire greater facility in

198 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

suffering patiently and in the end you will
possess the virtues themselves.

Thus suffering, accepted from the hand
of God and borne in the right spirit, will
bring forth such wonderful fruit, as is vain-
ly sought for among people who know not
the trials of sickness.

Disciple. I acknowledge and confess in
God's holy presence, that He is all- wise and
exceedingly merciful, even in sending trials
and chastisements. But Thou, O Lord,
teach me what I should do to gain Thy ap-
proval when I fall into a serious illness.

Master. First of all, do not postpone the
important business of making your last will
until you are struck down by sickness or are
near death. Many a priest has died intes-
tate and his goods fell to people who had no
claim to them. Take care that your will is
in accordance with the laws of the country
and free from informality, and that espe-
cially when you leave something for pious
purposes, lest it be set aside after your
death. Provide for your parents, relations,
and your household, if you can, as is just
and befitting; but guard against enriching
well-to-do relatives with the money you may
have earned in the service of the Church.

THE PRIEST IN SICKNESS 199

Rather fear the judgments of God and re-
member from history that ecclesiastical
property has seldom been a blessing to rela-
tives.

In the same way keep the books and regis-
ters belonging to your ministry in good
order, and keep an accurate list of your
Mass intentions and of the alms received for
pious purposes, so that you may be free
from care and worry in this respect.

If it should please God to visit you with
a serious illness, do not omit to consult a
physician in good time, and to make use of
the proper means to overcome the disease.
At the same time, ponder in your heart the
words of Holy Writ: "Whom the: Lord
loveth, He chastiseth" (Heb. xii. 6) and
"the Lord, your God, trieth you, that it may
appear whether you love Him with all your
heart and with all your soul, or no" (Deut.
xiii. 3).

Remember that according to God's most
holy intentions sickness ought to be to you
what the furnace is to gold, the thrashing-
floor and the mill to corn, the wine-press to
the grape ; it is sent to purify, ennoble, and
perfect your virtue as a priest.

In order not to lose any of the fruits of

200 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

illness or suffering, have recourse to God
from the very beginning of your sickness,
and from the depth of your misery pray to
Him who is all goodness that He may give
you strength and grace to resign yourself
absolutely to His most holy will, and to
make all the sacrifices connected with your
illness with a generous heart.

Do not listen to the rebellious voice of
nature, which shrinks from every kind of
suffering and which will impel you to resist
the arrangements of an all-wise God ; rather
force your nature, with the help of divine
grace, which you must incessantly implore,
to be controlled by your free will, and say
with holy resignation, "not my will, but
Thine be done" (Luke xxii. 42); "Lord
what wilt Thou have me to do?" (Acts ix.
6); "speak, Lord, for Thy servant hear-
eth" (1 Kings iii. 10). If it pleases Thee
to lead me through the furnace of sickness
and suffering, Thy name be blessed !

This is the most sublime sacrifice which
God will demand from you, that during the
days of affliction you offer yourself up to
His holy will with unconditional resigna-
tion. Follow the example of the saints who
have submitted themselves to the will of God

THE PRIEST IN SICKNESS 201

with the whole energy of their love. If you
do not bring yourself so far as to make this
sacrifice and if you grumble or murmur
against His visitations, all your works, be
they ever so great, will find little acceptance
in His sight ; for the very first thing which
the Creator must demand from His creature
is entire submission to His sovereign will.
Submission unto God is, as it were, the sun,
which sheds light upon all the good works
you perform during your illness, and gives
them their special value.

Moreover, if you accustom yourself to of-
fer up to God the generous sacrifice of your
sufferings, in union with the passion of Our
Lord and the merits of the saints, you will
put the crown on your work and touch the
heart of your heavenly Father. No incense
is more pleasing in His sight than such a
holocaust.

Further, make the best use of the many
precious occasions of mortification which
will occur in sickness, and endeavor to attain
to the greatest possible perfection in these
acts of virtue. May the thought that each
and every mortification, even the smallest,
renders your heart more like to the Heart
of Jesus and leads you to a higher degree

202 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

of eternal glory and nearer to your God,
daily inspire you with renewed zeal and
fervor.

Should your illness be prolonged and
make you wholly or partly unfit for your
ministry, so dear to you, then proclaim
yourself ready for this also, out of love for
God. If you should suffer from many pri-
vations, if you have no longer a home, if
everybody seems glad to be rid of you as of
a burden, then do not abandon hope; oh,
then immerse yourself in your Saviour's in-
finite ocean of suffering, suffering which
began at His birth, accompanied Him
through life, and only ended at His death
on the cross ! How little, how insignificant,
is your suffering compared to His? And
have you no reason at all to do penance for
your manifold sins?

Consider, also, that as the heavenly Fa-
ther chose sufferings for Jesus, His wrell-
beloved Son, so also has the Saviour chosen
the path of the cross for the saints, His
elected friends, as the best and safest road
to heaven. To empty the chalice of bitter-
ness to the very dregs was for them the
pledge of future glory. "Whom He fore-
knew, He also predestinated to be made con-

THE PRIEST IN SICKNESS 203

formable to the image of His Son" (Rom.
viii. 29).

But, my son, you will hardly be able to
do all I have told you, unless you strengthen
yourself as often as possible with the flesh
and blood of your Saviour, who is the foun-
tain of life and of priestly perfection.
Blameworthy, indeed, would be those priests
who, when confined to their bed, allowed
their soul to suffer hunger for weeks, yea
for months, instead of frequently partaking
of the Bread of Life, the body of Our Lord,
whilst formerly they had been used to com-
municate daily in Holy Mass. Such indif-
ference deeply wounds the Sacred Heart of
Jesus. And what will the faithful say,
when they perhaps learn that the priest
himself does not practise that on which he
had so frequently and earnestly insisted !

Remember how often you have spoken
comforting words to the sick, with what
zeal and fervor you urged them to receive
the last sacraments, how frequently you ex-
plained to them that Extreme Unction be-
stows strength not only on the soul for the
last and hardest struggle, but that it may be
of great avail for the welfare of the body
also. What you have recommended to

204 RULES FOR THE PASTOR OF SOULS

others, practise now yourself. How cruelly
does a priest act toward his own soul by
putting off the reception of the sacraments
to the last moment !

Therefore be most willing to receive them
in good time and with full consciousness,
and do not take it amiss if a relative or a
good friend of yours suggests their recep-
tion. If you are anxious to set your house
in order, you will, whilst enjoying good
health, ask a relative or a faithful friend to
call timely attention, in the case of sickness,
to the seriousness of your condition, so that
you may not be deprived of one of the great-
est graces of Holy Church.

If, then, death approaches, and if you
yourself feel or are told by others that all
means and all efforts made by the doctor
are of no avail, then, as a good priest, do not
refuse to your Lord and God the greatest of
all sacrifices, the sacrifice of your life.

Then in the face of death you may confi-
dently exclaim: "I am even now ready to
be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution
is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I
have finished my course, I have kept the
faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for
me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the

THE PRIEST IN SICKNESS 205

just Judge, will render to me in that day"
(2 Tim. iv. 6-8). "And now, O Lord, do
with me according to Thy will, and com-
mand my spirit to be received in peace"

(Tob. iii. 6).

' My son ! ' ' The sufferings of this time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory
to come, that shall be revealed in us" {Rom.
viii. 18). Embrace, therefore, your cross
with holy joy and humble resignation, and
hopefully expect the coming of the Lord;
for after a short time of suffering He will
lead you into the abode of joy everlasting.

INDEX

Accounts of church to be strictly kept, 199.
Adherence to Catholic principles must be aim of

Catholic clubs, 178.
Adviser of schoolteacher, priest should be, 158.
Afflicted, priest should comfort, 145.
Altar, priest at, 3, 7.
Ambrose, St., 27.

Amusement, judgment to be used in, 53.
Anti-clerics, how to treat, 148.
Apostles, example for priest, 21, 152.
Attention to education of children, 143; to studious

youth, 146.
Attitude of priest to influential men, 148; to civil

authorities, 154; to teachers, 160; to women, 165;

to those outside the fold, 184.
Attire, to be neat, 32.
Augustine, St., 27.
Authority of pastor over housekeeper, 76; over

curates, 90.
Avarice to be abhorred, 31.

B

Baptism, priest in, 6.
Beginning of priest's ministry, 133.
Benefices, holders of, and parish priests, 125.
Books of church to be strictly kept, 199.
Boys, aid should be given to talented, 46, 142.
Brevity, in confessional advice and in visits, 168.
Burial, Christian, when it is denied, 190.

207

208 INDEX

C

Calling, be mindful of, 1.

Care of health, 31, 50.

Catholic press to be aided, 46 ; principles to be main-
tained in clubs, 178.

Causes of discord among priests, 123.

Caution to be observed in making changes, 96 ; toward
women, 165.

Charity to poor, 26, 144; to curates, 93.

Children to be guided, 143, 146.

Choice of housekeeper, 59.

Christ, imitation of, 18 ; what it means to follow, 20 ;
lived in holy poverty, 23.

Church and State, 154; and school, 158.

Civil authorities and priest, 154.

Clothing, priest's, 32.

Clubs, priest and, 175; necessary and useful, 176;
officers and membership, 177 ; chief aim of, 178.

Cross, way of, leads to perfection, 20.

Comfort the afflicted, priest should, 145.

Common-sense necessary, 149.

Co-operation of priest and flock, 141; with civil au-
thorities, 154 ; with schoolteachers, 158.

Concord among priests necessary, 118.

Confession, seal of, 113 ; avoid favoritism in, 166.

Confidence between pastor and curates, 92; do not
misplace, 138.

Contempt results from undue familiarity, 137.

Contradiction, guard against, 99, 112 ; do not resent,
113.

Conversation should be edifying, 111.

Converts, instructing, 169.

Counselor to unfortunate, priest should be, 145.

Creditor, do not make housekeeper your, 75.

Criticism to be guarded against, 100.

Curates, and housekeeper, 84 ; should show considera-
tion to parents of pastor, 87 ; and pastor, 88 ; to
be treated as brethren, 92; to be consulted, 93;

INDEX 209

Curates (continued)

must be respectful, 95 ; should receive instruction
willingly, 97; should be thankful for advice, 98;
should guard against criticism, 99; should culti-
vate simple tastes, 100; and neighboring priests,
102; should take apostles as models, 103; how
they sow discord, 124.

Cure <T Ars, 27.

D

Daily routine, 34.

Dangerous occasions, shun, 174.

Deference to older priests, 95.

Devil, priest never safe from, 12 ; causes discord, 116.

Discord among priests, 115; the devil's doing, 116;
causes calamity to priests and flock, 117; pro-
vokes God's wrath, 119; causes faithful to aban-
don church, 120; punishment of, 121.

Different faith, priest and those of, 184.

Dignity of priest, 1; and human frailty, 10; note
how people in world preserve their, 76.

Disposal of time, 35, 41.

Disrespect to superiors to be shunned, 113.

Domineering person unfit for housekeeper, 66.

Drink and food, 30.

Dying, the, and priest, 7.

E

Ecclesiastical prescriptions must be observed in

choice of housekeeper, 62.
Ecclesiastical privileges must not be infringed bv civil

authorities, 156, 190.
Education of children, 143.
Enmity among priests, 119.
Erring, priest must counsel the, 145.
Esteem, God and holv things to be mentioned with,

113.
Example, priest should be, 39.
Excess in drink, avoid, 54.

Extravagant persons unsuitable as housekeepers, 64.
Extreme Unction, priest in, 7.

210 INDEX

F

Factions, priest must keep aloof from, 136.

Faithful esteem poverty and humility in priest, 26.

Familiarity, undue, to be avoided, 136.

Father to poor, priest should be, 26, 144.

Favoritism to be avoided, 166.

Fellow priests, intercourse with, 109.

Few follow Christ in poverty, 24.

Fixed order of time to be observed, 42.

Flock, priest and, 141 ; priest should know and visit,

142.
Following Christ, what it means, 19.
Folly of wasting time, 41.
Food and drink, 30.

Frailty, human, and priestly dignity, 10.
Friction between priest and schoolmaster to be

avoided, 158.
Friend of children, priest should be, 143, 146.
Frivolous persons unsuitable for housekeepers, 64.
Frugality of flock to be encouraged, 143.

G

Gluttony to be despised, 54.

God to be esteemed in speech, 113 ; wrath of, against

discordant priests, 119.
Gossips unsuitable as housekeepers, 64.
Gratitude of world not to be relied upon, 139.
Guard the tongue, 77, 113, 151, 164; the senses, 170.

H

Health, care of, 31, 50.

History in leisure time, study, 44.

Holders of benefices and parish priests, 125.

Holiness, reasons for priest's, 8.

Holy poverty, 23.

Holy things to be esteemed in speech, 119.

Honor of fellow priests must be guarded, 104.

Hospitality to fellow priests, 111.

INDEX 211

House, pictures in priest's, 30.

Housekeeper, choice of, 59 ; should be a model of vir-
tuous life, 60 ; the unsuitable, 6-4 ; mother and sis-
ter as, 69; and pastor, 73; her salary must be
punctually paid, 74 ; never make creditor of, 75 ;
curates and, 84.

Human frailty and priestly dignity, 10.

Humility in priest, people esteem, 26.

Idleness, a source of temptation, 43.

Imitation of Christ, 18.

Industry of flock to be fostered, 143.

Influential, the, and priest, 149.

Infringement of ecclesiastical privileges must be op-
posed, 156.

Instrument of God, priest is, 1.

Intercourse with fellow priests, 109; with civil au-
thorities, 154; with teachers, 165.

Interference with work of fellow priests, 106 ; in civil
matters, 156.

Intimate acquaintances unfit for housekeepers, 64.

Intimate, be not, with many, 114.

J

Jealousy to be avoided, 105, 168.
Justice, priest should be model of, 150.

Lack of routine, its results, 36.

Laymen, zealous, to manage clubs, 176.

Leisure time to be well spent, 44.

Life, rule of, 29.

Literature, Catholic, to be encouraged, 46.

Liquors, avoid excess in use of, 54.

Light-minded persons unsuitable for housekeepers, 64.

Local authorities and priests, 154.

Love, brotherly, between pastor and curates, 92.

212 INDEX

M

Mary carried her cross, 20.

Mass, the, what it is, 4.

Medicine, pastoral, 53.

Meddlers, unsuitable as housekeepers, 64.

Men, great, have fallen, 14; influential, and priest,
148.

Ministry, priest at beginning of his, 133.

Ministers of other denominations and priest, 191.

Miserly, be not, 31 ; persons unsuitable for housekeep-
ers, 66.

Mixed marriages, 190.

Model of justice, priest should be, 150.

Mother as housekeeper, to be preferred, 69.

Music, study of, in leisure time, 44.

N

Narrow-minded, be not, 93.
Natural science in leisure time, study of, 44.
Nature, observe, 47.

Neighboring priests and curates, 102; should be
friendly, 106.

o

Oppressed, priest should be protector of, 145.

Orphans and widows, priest should be father to, 145.

Ostentation to be avoided, 32.

Over-familiar, be not, 77.

Over-nice in care of health, be not, 31, 55.

P

Parents to be shown more consideration than stran-
gers by pastor, 82 ; by curates, 87 ; should be re-
membered in will, 198.

Parish priests and holders of benefices, 125.

Party strife, keep aloof from, 135.

INDEX 213

Pastor and housekeeper, 73; and curates, 88; must
defend curates, 93; how he sows discord, 123;
should guide education of children, 143, 146.

Pastoral work to be fairly distributed, 92; medicine,
53.

Peacemaker, priest should be, 185.

Penance, priest in, 6.

Perfection, necessity of, 2; sickness and, 196.

Persons outside the fold and priest, 184.

Persons who are unsuitable as housekeepers, 64.

Physician, 31 ; to be called in time, 53, 199.

Pictures in priest's home, 30.

Poor, priest should be a father to, 26, 144.

Power of priest, 6.

Poverty, holy, 23; Christ lived in, 23; the faithful
esteem priest who lives in, 26.

Praise, be judicious in giving, 114.

Presents from women not to be accepted, 172.

Press, Catholic, should be aided, 46.

Priest, his dignity, 1 ; at altar, 3 ; at Mass, 4 ; sublimity
of, 5 ; power of, 6 ; in administration of the sacra-
ments, 6; and the dying, 7; and human frailty,
10 ; and Satan, 12, 14, 117 ; should follow example
of apostles, 21, 152; should love poverty, 23;
should love the poor, 26, 144; diet of, 30; and
physician, 31, 53, 199; should abhor avarice, 31;
in care of health, 31, 50 ; his attire, 32 ; daily rou-
tine of, 34 ; should cultivate regularity, 35 ; should
be an example, 39 ; should avoid idleness, 41, 43 ;
should study in leisure, 44; should aid Catholic
literature, 46 ; should assist studious children, 46,
143, 146; should use judgment in amusements,
53 ; and pastoral medicine, 53 ; and spirituous
liquors, 54; should despise gluttony, 54; and
housekeeper, 59, 76; should profit by conduct of
laity, 76; should avoid sentimentality, 76, 166,
167 ; should guard his tongue and senses, 77, 113,
151, 164, 170; should be reserved, 78; and serv-
ants, 79; and parents, 82, 198; and curates, 90;

214 INDEX

Priest {continued)

should bear shortcomings of others, 92, 95 ; should
not be narrow-minded, 93 ; and older priests, 95 ;
should observe caution in making changes, 96;
should guard against contradiction, 99, 112; in
social gatherings, 99, 164, 171 ; should avoid criti-
cism, 100; should guard honor of fellow priests,
104 ; should avoid jealousy, 105, 168 ; and fellow
priests, 109; hospitality of, 111; should avoid
sarcasm, 112 ; speech of, should be edifying, 113 ;
should be forgiving, 113, 127 ; should avoid over-
intimacy, 114, 137; should avoid discord, 123;
and holders of benefices, 125 ; at beginning of his
ministry, 133 ; should be peacemaker, 135 ; should
avoid factions, 136; should not misplace confi-
dence, 138 ; should not rely on gratitude of world,
139; and flock, 141; should encourage frugality
among flock, 143 ; as counselor to poor and sick,
145 ; should foster vocations, 146 ; and anti-clerics,
and influential men, 148 ; should be tactful, 149 ;
must be just and straightforward, 150 ; and civil
authorities, 154; must guard rights of Church,
156, 190 ; should be adviser of school-teacher, 158,
160; and women, 165; in confessional, 166; in
visits, 168; and converts, 169; should not accept
presents from women, 172; should shun danger-
ous occasions, 174; and clubs, 175; and those of
other denominations, 184; should be tolerant,
185 ; and mixed marriages, 190 ; should distribute
pastoral work fairly, 192 ; in sickness, 196 ; will
of, should be made in good health, 198 ; should
keep church accounts strictly, 199.

Principles should guide judgments, 112; Catholic, to
be chief aim of clubs, 178.

Protector of oppressed, priest should be, 145.

Punishment of discord among priests, 121.

INDEX 215

Q

Quarrelsome relatives unfit for housekeepers, 67.

R

Reconciliations to be quickly sought, 127.

Reforms to be cautiously made, 134.

Regularity to be cultivated, 35.

Relaxation, judgment to be used in, 53.

Relations between priest and housekeeper, 73; be-
tween priest and curates, 93 ; between priest and
holders of benefices, 125 ; between priest and civil
authorities, 154 ; between priest and women, 165 ;
between priest and clubs, 175 ; between priest and
those of different denominations, 184.

Resentment not to be shown in contradiction, 113.

Reserve toward housekeeper, 78.

Results of lack of routine, 35.

Reverence God and holy things in speech, 113.

Rich persons unsuitable as housekeepers, 67.

Rights of Church to be guarded, 156, 190.

Routine, dailv, 34.

Rule of life, "29.

S

Sacraments, priest in, 6.

Sarcasm to be suppressed, 112.

Satan conspires against priest, 12; to be guarded

against, 14 ; causes discord, 117.
Scandals caused by discord, 117.
Schoolmaster and priest, 158.
Science in leisure hours, study of, 44.
Scrupulous in care of health, be not, 31, 55.
Self-control, 31, 35.
Self-denial, 19.
Senses to be guarded, 170.
Sentimentality to be avoided, 166, 167.
Servant of God, priest is, 6.

216 INDEX

Servants to be looked after, 79; and curates, 84.

Sheep, lost, to be found, 146.

Shortcomings of others to be borne, 92, 95.

Sick, priest and the, 145.

Sickness, priest in, 195.

Silence of confessional, 113 ; sometimes the best pol-
icy, 151, 164.

Sinners must be reclaimed, 146.

Sister, as housekeeper, 69.

Sleep should be regular, 54.

Sloth to be shunned, 43.

Spiritual direction to be restricted to the confessional,
173.

Spirituous liquors, avoid excess in use of, 54.

Social gatherings and curates, 99; of priests and
teachers, 164; of ladies, 171.

State and Church, 154.

Straightforwardness, priest should be model ot, loO.

Studious youths to be assisted, 46, 142.

Subordinate, housekeeper to be treated as, 76.

Sublimity of priesthood, 5.

I

Tact necessary, 149.

Talebearers unsuitable for housekeepers, 65.

Talkative, be not, 77.

Teachers to be assisted by priest, 159.

Tenderness to be used with great caution, 77, 166, 167.

Time should be used to best advantage, 34, 41.

Toleration to others to be observed, 185.

Tongue to be guarded, 77, 113, 151, 164.

TJ

United, priests should be, 118.
Unsuitable housekeepers, 64.

INDEX 217

Vanity of world shown in sickness, 195.

Visits to fellow-priests, 109 ; of fellow-priests should

he welcomed with kindness and cordiality, 111;

to families, 142 ; to ladies to be made only when

necessary, 168.
Visiting sick, be zealous in, 145.
Vocations, priest should foster, 146.

w

Whims and fancies to be ignored, 31, 55.

Wrath of God provoked against discordant priests,

119
World, gratitude of, not to be relied upon, 139.
Widows and orphans, priest should be father to, 145.
Women, conduct of priest toward, 165 ; presents from,

not to be accepted, 172.
Will should be made while in good health, 198.

Young priests should show deference and reserve to

older priests, 95.
Youths, special attention should be given to studious,

146.

Zeal in visiting the sick, 145.

Zealous laymen should take precedence in manage-
ment of clubs, 176.

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Rules of life for the

pastor of souls /
AXH-1854 (sk)